![]() They are small and are laid on host plant stems. The eggs of the pipevine swallowtail vary in color from red to orange. These butterflies frequent thistle ( Cirsium) flowers, the pink and purple flowers of the Phlox species, and ironweed of Vernonia species. Pipevine swallowtail adults use nectar-producing plants as hosts there are many plants that fit this criterion. This is especially true of exotic variants. Some Aristolochia species are actually toxic or extremely distasteful to larvae and thus may act as death traps for the butterflies. Other host plants include Pipevine ( Aristolochia macrophylla), Woolly Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa), Texas Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia reticulate), Watson's Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia watsonii), and California Dutchman’s pipe ( Aristolochia californica). It has broad-leaved and narrow-leaved forms, and both act as hosts for swallowtail larvae. Ī common host plant is the Virginia snakeroot, ( Aristolochia serpentaria), which can be found in the Eastern United States and in Florida. This plant genus is known to have active aristolochic acids, which pipevine swallowtail larvae sequester and use for defensive properties. These are commonly known as pipevine plants, which is where the butterfly gets its common name. Pipevine swallowtail larvae feed on plants within the genus Aristolochia. ![]() They favor anywhere pipevine ( Aristolochia) can grow in abundance. The butterfly frequents warmer, more temperate environments, and can be found mostly in open grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and backyard gardens. They have been observed as far south as Mexico and as far north as Ontario, although these sightings are inconsistent. There is also an isolated population in central California. In the United States, the butterfly is found in New England down to Florida west to Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon. The pipevine swallowtail has a wide distribution across the Northern Americas. They are referred to as the Aristolochia butterflies. ![]() The pipevine swallowtail also belongs to the tribe Troidini, a group of butterflies whose larvae all feed on plants of the genus Aristolochia. The name Battus comes from the founder of the Greek colony of Cyrenaica, Battus I, and the species name philenor comes from the Greek word meaning ‘fond of husband’. In 1777, it was moved to the genus Battus by Scopoli. The pipevine swallowtail was first identified in 1771 by Linnaeus and originally was placed in the genus Papilo, as was typical for butterflies. The butterfly is however of "Special Concern" in Michigan, which is on the Northern limit of its range. While enthusiasts have led citizen efforts to conserve pipevine swallowtails in their neighborhoods on the West coast, the butterfly has not been the subject of a formal program in conservation or protected in legislation. Some species of Aristolochia are toxic to the larvae, typically tropical varieties. The adults feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers. They are known for sequestering acids from the plants they feed on in order to defend themselves from predators by being poisonous when consumed. Caterpillars are often black or red, and feed on compatible plants of the genus Aristolochia. They are found in many different habitats, but are most commonly found in forests. This butterfly is black with iridescent-blue hindwings. Battus philenor, the pipevine swallowtail or blue swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly found in North America and Central America.
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