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Battus (butterfly)

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. 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:

subgenus: Battuosa <small>Möhn, 1999</small>

species group: belus <small>Möhn, 1999</small>
:* Battus belus <small>(Cramer, 1777)</small> – Belus swallowtail
:* Battus crassus <small>(Cramer, 1777)</small> – Crassus swallowtail
:* Battus eracon <small>(Godman & Salvin, 1897)</small> – west-Mexican swallowtail, Colima swallowtail
:* Battus ingenuus <small>(Dyar, 1907)</small> – Dyar's swallowtail, confused swallowtail
:* Battus laodamas <small>(C. & R. Felder, 1859)</small> – green-patch swallowtail, yellow-spotted swallowtail
:* Battus lycidas <small>(Cramer, [1777])</small> – Cramer's swallowtail, yellow-trailed swallowtail
:* Battus polystictus <small>(Butler, 1874)</small>
species group: madyes <small>Möhn, 1999</small>
:* Battus madyes <small>(Doubleday, 1846)</small> – Madyes swallowtail

subgenus: Battus <small>Möhn, 1999</small>

species group: philenor
:* Battus devilliersii <small>(Godart, 1823)</small>
:* Battus philenor <small>(Linnaeus, 1771)</small> – pipevine swallowtail
:* Battus zetides <small>(Munroe, 1971)</small> – Zetides swallowtail
species group: polydamus <small>Möhn, 1999</small>
:* Battus polydamas <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small> – Polydamas swallowtail, gold rim swallowtail, or tailless swallowtail

References

  • 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. Illustrates and identifies 14 species and 49 subspecies.

External links