Battus (butterfly)

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Battus
File:Pipevineswallowtail.JPG
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
Scientific classification
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Battus

Scopoli, 1777
Species

See text

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Battus is a New World genus of butterflies that are usually found around pipevine (genus Aristolochia) plants. The caterpillars feed off the poisonous pipevines, making the insects poisonous themselves; they taste very bad to ward off predators.[1] Since birds avoid these butterflies, other swallowtail species mimic their coloration. The common North American species are Battus polydamas and Battus philenor.

Etymology

In Greek mythology, Battus is a shepherd who witnessed Hermes stealing Apollo's cattle. Because he broke his promise not to reveal this theft, Hermes turned him to stone.

Species

Listed alphabetically within groups.[2][3]

subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999

species group: belus Möhn, 1999
species group: madyes Möhn, 1999

subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999

species group: philenor
species group: polydamus Möhn, 1999
  • Battus polydamas (Linnaeus, 1758) – Polydamas Swallowtail, Gold Rim Swallowtail, or Tailless Swallowtail

References

  1. Pinheiro, Carlos E.G. (1996) Palatability and escaping ability in Neotropical butterflies: tests with wild kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus, Tyrannidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 59(4): 351–365. HTML abstract
  2. Battus, funet.fi
  3. Glassberg, J. (2007) A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico and Central America, Sunstreak Books, pp.8-9.
  • Edwin Möhn, 2002 Schmetterlinge der Erde, Butterflies of the world Part V (5), Papilionidae II:Battus. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach Keltern : Goecke & Evers ; Canterbury : Hillside Books.ISBN 978-3-931374-70-9 Illustrates and identifies 14 species and 49 subspecies.

External links


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