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.Pinheiro, Carlos E.G. (1996) Palatability and escaping ability in Neotropical butterflies: tests with wild kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus, Tyrannidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 59(4): 351–365. HTML abstract Since birds avoid these butterflies, other swallowtail species mimic their coloration. The common North American species are Battus polydamas and Battus philenor.
Etymology 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.
Species Listed alphabetically within groups:Battus, funet.fiGlassberg, J. (2007) A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico and Central America, Sunstreak Books, pp.8-9.
subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999 species group: belus Möhn, 1999 Battus belus (Cramer, 1777) – Belus swallowtail Battus crassus (Cramer, 1777) – Crassus swallowtail Battus eracon (Godman & Salvin, 1897) – west-Mexican swallowtail, Colima swallowtail Battus ingenuus (Dyar, 1907) – Dyar's swallowtail, confused swallowtail Battus laodamas (C. & R. Felder, 1859) – green-patch swallowtail, yellow-spotted swallowtail Battus lycidas (Cramer, ) – Cramer's swallowtail, yellow-trailed swallowtail Battus polystictus (Butler, 1874)
species group: madyes Möhn, 1999 Battus madyes (Doubleday, 1846) – Madyes swallowtail
subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999 species group: philenor Battus devilliersii (Godart, 1823) Battus philenor (Linnaeus, 1771) – pipevine swallowtail Battus zetides (Munroe, 1971) – Zetides swallowtail
species group: polydamus Möhn, 1999 Battus polydamas (Linnaeus, 1758) – Polydamas swallowtail, gold rim swallowtail, or tailless swallowtail
References
Edwin Möhn, 2002 Schmetterlinge der Erde, Butterflies of the World Part V (5), Papilionidae II: Battus. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach Keltern: Goecke & Evers; Canterbury: Hillside Books. Illustrates and identifies 14 species and 49 subspecies.
External links Battus , Insects Online Battus, BugGuide Battus Butterflies of America. Mostly types.