Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158
Battus polydamas
This record describes Battus polydamas (species). Recorded family: Papilionidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lacks tails. Black above with submarginal yellow band. Larva somewhat similar to Pipevine Swallowtail, but spines are orange and body marked with stripes
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Papilionidae (Swallowtails, Parnassians)
- Subfamily
- Papilioninae
- Tribe
- Troidini
- Genus
- Battus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open woods, abandoned fields, disturbed areas.
Geographic Range
s TX, peninsular FL / W. Indies / south to Argentina. Strays north to Kentucky and Missouri - Map(MPG)
Seasonal Activity
Two-3 flights from April-November.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillar hosts: Pipevines ( Aristolochia species). Adult food: Nectar of lantana. Occasionally seen feeding on honeysuckle and soapweed flowers.
Life History
Female lays eggs in groups of 10-14 on exposed new stems or growing tips of vines. Caterpillars feed in groups when young. Overwinter as chrysalids.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Battus polydamas. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Alan Chin Lee; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Steve Nanz , Matthew Roth , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , David Ferguson , Bill Reynolds
Frequently Asked Questions About Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158
What is Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158?
Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 (Battus polydamas) is a species in the family Papilionidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158?
Wing span: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (9 - 12 cm).
How do you identify Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158?
Lacks tails. Black above with submarginal yellow band. Larva somewhat similar to Pipevine Swallowtail, but spines are orange and body marked with stripes
Where is Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open woods, abandoned fields, disturbed areas. |
| Range | s TX, peninsular FL / W. Indies / south to Argentina. Strays north to Kentucky and Missouri - Map(MPG) |
What does Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 eat?
The diet of the Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 includes Caterpillar hosts: Pipevines ( Aristolochia species). Adult food: Nectar of lantana. Occasionally seen feeding on honeysuckle and soapweed flowers..
When is Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158 active?
Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158: seasonal activity - Two-3 flights from April-November..
What is the life cycle of a Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158?
Female lays eggs in groups of 10-14 on exposed new stems or growing tips of vines. Caterpillars feed in groups when young. Overwinter as chrysalids.