Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is found in North and Central America. It ranges from southern Canada across USA to Mexico, Tres Marias islands and onto Guatemala and Costa Rica.

The upper surface of the hind wings of the male butterfly has an iridescent metallic blue sheen. The hindwings also have a series of pale, arrow-head markings above and a single row of seven round orange spots, which never touch, set in an iridescent blue field below. The forewings are dull blackish-brown.

After mating, females lay batches of eggs on the underside of the leaves of a host plant. The caterpillars feed in small groups when young, but become solitary when older. Chrysalis overwinters. The caterpillar of the Pipevine swallowtail is reddish-brown. It has rows of fleshy, red or black coloured tubercles on its back.

Host plants for the caterpillars include the Pipevine (Aristolochia species). Pipevines confer a poisonous quality to the larvae and resulting adults, much as the monarch butterfly obtains protection by feeding on milkweed, or heliconiines by feeding on passion flowers. Adults seek nectar from flowers, including thistles, bergamot, lilac, viper's bugloss, common azaleas, phlox, teasel, azaleas, dame's rocket, lantana, petunias, verbenas, lupines, yellow star thistle, buckeye and butterfly bush.

More info: [link]

I gave my permission to *AllArts to display this deviation in the club's gallery.

Featured by the lovely Helena in her journal: "A Favourites Special of Fine Artists" [link] .

Featured by the lovely and talented Twiggy in her journal "Silhouettes Contest Winners!": [link] .