| Cramer's swallowtail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Museum specimen of Battus lycidas, male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Genus: | Battus |
| Species: | B. lycidas |
| Binomial name | |
| Battus lycidas (Cramer, [1777]) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Battus lycidas is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae native to the Neotropical realm. It is commonly known as Cramer's swallowtail, the Lycidas swallowtail, and the yellow-trailed swallowtail. [1] [2] [3]
The wingspan of Battus lycidas can reach 10–11 millimetres (0.39–0.43 in). Wings are basically black, with yellow markings and a greenish structure-colour. The hind wings are tailless. This species shows a sexual dimorphism, as in males hind wings have anal androconial creamy yellow patches and the abdomen is yellow cream, while in the females hind wings have faint pale yellow spots forming a discontinuous strip in the middle area. Little is known about this species, but it is not considered threatened. [2] Adults fly in May and June visiting flowers of Warscewiczia coccinea (Rubiaceae) and blooms of Vochysia guatemalensis (Vochysiaceae). The larvae of Battus lycidas feed on Aristolochia huberiana . [4] and on Aristolochia constricta .
This species can be found from Mexico to northern Bolivia and southern Pará, Brazil. [1] It is rare in Costa Rica. [2]
These butterflies prefer the canopy, the margins of streams and clearings, at an elevation of 0–800 metres (0–2,625 ft) above sea level.
Battus is a New World genus of butterflies that are usually found around pipevine 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.
Battus philenor, the pipevine swallowtail or blue swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly found in North America and Central America. This butterfly is black with iridescent-blue hindwings. They are found in many different habitats, but are most commonly found in forests. Caterpillars are often black or red, and feed on compatible plants of the genus Aristolochia. They are known for sequestering acids from the plants they feed on in order to defend themselves from predators by being poisonous when consumed. The adults feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers. Some species of Aristolochia are toxic to the larvae, typically tropical varieties. While enthusiasts have led citizen efforts to conserve pipevine swallowtails in their neighborhoods on the West coast, the butterfly has not been the subject of a formal program in conservation or protected in legislation. The butterfly is however of "Special Concern" in Michigan, which is on the Northern limit of its range.
Battus zetides, the zetides swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Parides montezuma, the Montezuma's cattleheart, is a butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is native to the Americas.
Battus laodamas, the green-patch swallowtail or yellow-spotted swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae.
Parides eurimedes is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is commonly known as the mylotes cattleheart, Arcas cattleheart, pink-checked cattleheart, and true cattleheart. It is native to the Americas.
Parides photinus, the pink-spotted cattleheart, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It was first described by Edward Doubleday in 1844.
Battus eracon, the west-Mexican swallowtail or Colima swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in western Mexico where it is local and uncommon. The larvae feed on Aristolochia tentaculata.
Battus ingenuus, the Dyar's swallowtail or confused swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae.
Battus devilliersii is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Cuba and the Bahamas.
Battus madyes, the Madyes swallowtail, is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae.
Battus belus, the Belus swallowtail is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Venezuela.
Battus crassus, the Crassus swallowtail, is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae.
Battus polystictus is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Male and female are less dimorphic than in related species as regards wing shape and pattern, but the male has a prominent pale yellow lengthwise stripe on the upperside of its abdomen.
Euryades corethrus is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Parides phaleucas is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It was described by William Chapman Hewitson in 1869. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Mimoides pausanias, the Pausanias swallowtail or bluish mimic-swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae.
Parides orellana is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in the Neotropical realm..
Parides zacynthus is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in the Neotropical realm where it is endemic to Eastern Brazil.
Protographium calliste is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the Neotropical realm.
Media related to Battus lycidas at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Battus lycidas at Wikispecies  | This Papilionidae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |