Anchises Cattleheart
Common NameAnchises Cattleheart
Scientific NameParides anchises
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)80
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblack, red, white
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, clearings
Geographic RangeCentral America to South America (Costa Rica south to Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay)
Host PlantsAristolochia species
Flight PeriodYear-round (multiple broods)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on toxic Aristolochia vines, sequestering the toxins to become unpalatable to predators. This aposematism is carried into the adult stage, signaling their toxicity.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive combination of a black body with a red head, and the specific pattern of white/pink and red spots on the hindwings, which can vary slightly between subspecies but maintain a characteristic layout.
Description
A striking black butterfly with a red head and thorax. Its hindwings display a prominent band of white or pinkish-white spots, often edged with red, and a row of red spots along the outer margin.
