Polydamas Swallowtail
ExploreInsects
Polydamas Swallowtail
Battus polydamas
The Polydamas Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with striking black and yellow patterns. It flutters gracefully in gardens and forests, bringing joy to everyone who sees it.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Polydamas Swallowtail has deep black wings with no 'tails', a unique feature for a swallowtail. Each wing is edged with a bright, iridescent yellow-green band of spots that glow in the sunlight.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusBattus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its caterpillars are spiky and colorful, not shy about showing off!
The pupa, or chrysalis, looks like a dead leaf, a master of disguise!
They lay tiny, round, yellow eggs, often in neat clusters.
This butterfly helps flowers make seeds by carrying pollen.
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Taste Alarm
Polydamas Swallowtail has bright warning colors that help them tell predators 'Don't eat me, I taste bad!'
Ability
Poisonous Power-Up
Polydamas Swallowtail can store toxins from the plants they eat as caterpillars, making them poisonous to predators.
Ability
Foot Taste Buds
Polydamas Swallowtail can taste flowers and leaves with special sensors on their feet to find the perfect meal.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 80-110 mm
- Size
- 30-40 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars eat toxic leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar.
Age differences: Larvae eat the leaves of specific toxic plants, while adults drink nectar from various flowers.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Pipevine (Aristolochia species)
- Lantana
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Calico Flower
Aristolochia elegans
Caterpillars exclusively eat the leaves of this plant.
eaten by
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White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
Birds may try to eat the adult butterflies.
pollinates
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Lantana
Lantana camara
Adults visit Lantana flowers, helping them reproduce.
eaten by
Flower Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
Flower crab spiders ambush adult butterflies on flowers.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polydamas Swallowtail's wingspan?
80-110 mm
How big is Polydamas Swallowtail?
30-40 mm
How long does Polydamas Swallowtail live?
10-30 days
How fast can Polydamas Swallowtail fly?
15 km/h
What does Polydamas Swallowtail eat?
Caterpillars eat toxic leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar.
Where is Polydamas Swallowtail usually found?
Forests
How does Polydamas Swallowtail hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Polydamas Swallowtail have?
6
Snap Map
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