Battus | |
---|---|
| |
Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) | |
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Polydamas swallowtail (Battus polydamas) | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Papilionidae |
Tribe: | Troidini |
Genus: |
Battus Scopoli, 1777 |
Type species | |
Papilio polydamas
Linnaeus, 1758
| |
Species | |
See text |
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.
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.
Listed alphabetically within groups: [2] [3]
subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999
subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999
Battus | |
---|---|
| |
Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) | |
![]() | |
Polydamas swallowtail (Battus polydamas) | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Papilionidae |
Tribe: | Troidini |
Genus: |
Battus Scopoli, 1777 |
Type species | |
Papilio polydamas
Linnaeus, 1758
| |
Species | |
See text |
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.
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.
Listed alphabetically within groups: [2] [3]
subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999
subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999