Genus of butterflies
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
- Battus belus (Cramer, 1777) – Belus swallowtail
- Battus crassus (Cramer, 1777) – Crassus swallowtail
- Battus eracon (Godman & Salvin, 1897) – west-Mexican swallowtail, Colima swallowtail
- Battus ingenuus (Dyar, 1907) – Dyar's swallowtail, confused swallowtail
- Battus laodamas (C. & R. Felder, 1859) – green-patch swallowtail, yellow-spotted swallowtail
- Battus lycidas (Cramer, [1777]) – Cramer's swallowtail, yellow-trailed swallowtail
- Battus polystictus (Butler, 1874)
- 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
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Museum specimen of
Battus philenor
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Battus philenor caterpillar, high-temperature red form
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Battus philenor caterpillar, low temperature black form
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Battus philenor pupa
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