Battus philenor
Battus philenor
Battus philenor is a butterfly of the family of Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilionidae ) and the subfamily of swallowtails ( Papilioninae ).
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
- 6.3 online
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 70 to 130 millimeters. The forewings are broad and pointed. They have a dull black or dark brown color on the top and have small yellowish or whitish spots on the outer edge. The hind wings are provided with slight notches and short pointed tail appendages. Males bluish shimmer and show cream-colored points. The females are colored more inconspicuous. They lack the blue iridescence of the males on the top throughout. The underside of the forewing is gray, that of the hind wing is conspicuously colored blue in the outer region and extending to seven in a row, orange-red spots, which are outlined in black provided. Along the black body, some bright spots stand out.
Egg
The eggs are reddish - brown or orange and round as a ball. They are stored by the female in clusters of up to 20 on the underside of leaves of the food plant, located at very sunny places.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are usually reddish brown or violet-brown to black-brown colored and provided with two rows of red spots on the back. Over the entire body short, dark, thread-like or wart-like bumps are distributed. Hours are extended on the right and left of the head tentacle -like. The coloration of the caterpillar and the doll is temperature dependent, the warmer it is in the development time, the more caterpillars and pupae from the blackish color Brownish or reddish.
Doll
The doll can be recognized by a strongly curved shape, a very broad middle part, a pointed hump behind the head, and two small horns on the head.
Doll
Behavior and lifestyles
The moths of Battus philenor fly in several generations from spring to autumn. Visit for nectar receiving the flowers of various plants, such as thistles, bergamot, lilac, viper's bugloss, azaleas, flame flower, card, ordinary dame's violet, lantana, petunias, verbena, lupines, adhesives thistle, horse chestnut and Eriodictyon. The species is similar to the honey bees are able to detect certain flowers by their color and their rich nectar. The butterfly sitting on the ground and sometimes take fluid and minerals in humid Erdstellen on. Young caterpillars live sociable, but do not form a spun nests, elderly living alone. Due to the main food plants of the caterpillars, which are among the most toxic Osterluzeigewächsen ( Aristolochiaceae ), also caterpillars are poisonous to predators. Dolls and butterflies are as toxic and are therefore avoided by predators. This fact is used by other similar species, eg Papilio glaucus, Papilio troilus, polyxenes Papilio, Papilio joanae, Limenitis arthemis astyanax and Speyeria diana in the form of mimicry. Occasionally, the caterpillars feed on the leaves and fruits of wind plants ( Convolvulaceae ) or Knöterichgewächsen ( Polygonaceae ). The wintering pupae of the last generation.
Distribution and occurrence
The species occurs preferably in the southern states of the U.S., but wanders over almost all of North America, from southern Canada to Central America. It is Guatemala this is the most southern distribution limit of Art The farther south the range and the warmer the air, the more frequently encountered.
Battus philenor settled prefers open woodlands, but is also home to meadows, river banks, roadsides, and in parks and other cultural landscapes. To the east of the circulation area inhabited the nature mountain forests, deserts in the west.
Endangering
The species is classified as not at risk. In its northernmost distribution area of the US-Canadian border in the U.S. state of Michigan shall be deemed worthy of protection.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate Battus philenor philenor ( Linnaeus, 1771) distinguish the following sub- types:
- Battus philenor acauda ( Oberthuer, 1879)
- Battus philenor hirsuta ( Skinner, 1908)
- Battus philenor insularis ( Vázquez, 1957)
- Battus philenor orsua ( Godman & Salvin, 1889)