Battus (butterfly)
| Battus | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Subfamily: | Papilioninae |
| Tribe: | Troidini |
| Genus: |
Battus Scopoli, 1777 |
| Species | |
|
See text |
|
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. 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:
subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999
subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999
Museum specimen of Battus philenor
Battus philenor caterpillar, high-temperature red form
Battus philenor caterpillar, low temperature black form
Battus philenor pupa
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