Battus philenor
Scientific NameBattus philenor
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, meadows, gardens, and riparian areas, often near host plants.
Geographic RangeEastern and central United States, extending south into Mexico and Central America, and occasionally north into southern Canada.
Host PlantsAristolochia serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot), Aristolochia tomentosa (Woolly Pipevine), Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman's Pipe), Aristolochia californica (California Pipevine)
Conservation StatusLeast Concern (LC)
Description
A large, striking swallowtail butterfly known for its iridescent blue-green hindwings on the dorsal side, contrasting with a velvety black forewing. The ventral side of the hindwings features a row of prominent orange spots, often bordered by iridescent blue. Caterpillars are dark red-brown to black with rows of fleshy, orange-tipped tubercles, feeding exclusively on pipevine plants, which makes them toxic to predators.
