Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185
Eurytides philolaus
This record describes Eurytides philolaus (species). Recorded family: Papilionidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Upper surface of male forewing has broad black bars; female similar or an almost completely black form. Both with long tails First U.S. Record: South Padre Island, Hidalgo Co., TX - 1958 (Kendall & McGuire 1984)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Papilionidae (Swallowtails, Parnassians)
- Subfamily
- Papilioninae
- Tribe
- Leptocircini
- Genus
- Eurytides (Kite Swallowtails)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous-semideciduous tropical forests of lower elevations
Geographic Range
s. TX (as a stray) to Costa Rica - Map (MPG, BOA)
Seasonal Activity
Two flights during March-November. Most numerous at beginning of rainy season
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillar hosts: Shrubs and small trees of Annonaceae family
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eurytides philolaus (Boisduval, 1836)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eurytides philolaus. 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 Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Matthew Roth , Mike Quinn , Nick Block , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185
What is Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185?
Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 (Eurytides philolaus) is a species in the family Papilionidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185?
Wing span: 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 inches (9 - 9.5 cm)
How do you identify Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185?
Upper surface of male forewing has broad black bars; female similar or an almost completely black form. Both with long tails
Where is Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous-semideciduous tropical forests of lower elevations |
| Range | s. TX (as a stray) to Costa Rica - Map (MPG, BOA) |
What does Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 eat?
The diet of the Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 includes Caterpillar hosts: Shrubs and small trees of Annonaceae family.
When is Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185 active?
Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185: seasonal activity - Two flights during March-November. Most numerous at beginning of rainy season.