{{Short description|Species of butterfly}} {{Speciesbox | name = Pipevine swallowtail | image = Battus philenor 02.jpg | image_caption=Ventral view | image2=Pipevine swallowtail (72226).jpg | image2_caption = Dorsal view | taxon = Battus philenor | authority = (Linnaeus, 1771) | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = See text | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref=<ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Bains, T.|author2=Walker, A.|author3=Hall, P.|year=2021|title=''Battus philenor''|article-number=e.T110520147A110520288|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T110520147A110520288.en|access-date=20 July 2023}}</ref> | status2 = G5 | status2_system = TNC | status2_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=Battus philenor - Pipevine Swallowtail |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.119218/Battus_philenor |website=explorer.natureserve.org |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> }} [[File:Pipevine swallowtail female (41733).jpg|thumb|Female ''B. philenor'' fluttering at a flower in Tennessee]] '''''Battus philenor''''', the '''pipevine swallowtail''' or '''blue swallowtail''',<ref name=LepIndex>{{LepIndex |id=166321}} Retrieved April 19, 2018.</ref><ref name="Savela Battus">{{cite web |url=http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/papilionidae/papilioninae/battus/index.html#philenor|title= ''Battus philenor'' |last= Savela |first= Markku |work= funet.fi |access-date=2 August 2007}}</ref> is a swallowtail butterfly found in North America and Central America. This butterfly is black with iridescent-blue hindwings. They are found in many different habitats, but are most commonly found in forests.<ref name=Iftner>{{cite book |last1= Iftner |first1= David C. |last2= Shuey |first2= John A. |last3= Calhoun |first3= John V. |title= Butterflies and Skippers of Ohio |year= 1992 |publisher= College of Biological Sciences and The Ohio University |isbn= 978-0-86727-107-2 |page= 70}}</ref> Caterpillars are often black or red, and feed on compatible plants of the genus ''Aristolochia''. They are known for sequestering acids from the plants they feed on in order to defend themselves from predators by being poisonous when consumed. The adults feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers. Some species of ''Aristolochia'' are toxic to the larvae, typically tropical varieties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Is Your Pipevine Plant Swallowtail-safe?|url=https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/aristolochia-gigantea-kills-pipevine-swallowtails/|publisher=Monarch Butterfly Garden|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/6/12098122/california-pipevine-swallowtail-butterfly-population|title=How one man repopulated a rare butterfly species in his backyard|author=Zachary Crockett|date=14 February 2017|website=Vox.com|access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/A-Haven-for-Butterflies-Create-a-habitat-that-2929980.php#photo-2254659|title=A Haven for Butterflies / Create a habitat that will lure these beauties to your back yard|author=Jane Fletcher|date=19 May 1999|website=SFGate|access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> The butterfly is however of "Special Concern" in Michigan, which is on the Northern limit of its range.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Battus_philenor/|title=''Battus phileno''|author=I. Ramos|date=2001|website=Animal Diversity Web|access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref>
== Nomenclature == The pipevine swallowtail was first identified in 1771 by Linnaeus and originally was placed in the genus ''Papilo'', as was typical for butterflies. In 1777, it was moved to the genus ''Battus'' by Scopoli. 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'. The pipevine swallowtail also belongs to the tribe Troidini, a group of butterflies whose larvae all feed on plants of the genus ''Aristolochia.'' They are referred to as the ''Aristolochia'' butterflies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/pipevine_swallowtail.htm|title=pipevine swallowtail - Battus philenor|website=entnemdept.ufl.edu|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat== The pipevine swallowtail has a wide distribution across the Northern Americas. In the United States, the butterfly is found in New England down to Florida west to Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon.<ref name="Savela Battus" /> There is also an isolated population in central California. They have been observed as far south as Mexico and as far north as Ontario, although these sightings are inconsistent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Battus-philenor|title=Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor (Linnaeus, 1771) {{!}} Butterflies and Moths of North America|website=www.butterfliesandmoths.org|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Fordyce|first1=James A.|last2=Nice|first2=Chris C.|title=Contemporary Patterns in a Historical Context: Phylogeographic History of the Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus Philenor (Papilionidae)|journal=Evolution|language=en-US|volume=57|issue=5|pages=1089–99|doi=10.1554/0014-3820(2003)057[1089:cpiahc]2.0.co;2|pmid=12836825|year=2003}}</ref>
The butterfly frequents warmer, more temperate environments, and can be found mostly in open grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and backyard gardens. They favor anywhere pipevine (''Aristolochia)'' can grow in abundance.<ref name="ADW" />
== Host plants and food resources ==
=== Larvae === Pipevine swallowtail larvae feed on plants within the genus ''Aristolochia.'' These are commonly known as pipevine plants, which is where the butterfly gets its common name.<ref name=":0" /> This plant genus is known to have active aristolochic acids, which pipevine swallowtail larvae sequester and use for defensive properties.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Sime|first1=Karen R.|last2=Feeny|first2=Paul P.|last3=Haribal|first3=Meena M.|date=2000-12-01|title=Sequestration of aristolochic acids by the pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor (L.): evidence and ecological implications|journal=Chemoecology|language=en|volume=10|issue=4|pages=169–178|doi=10.1007/PL00001819|bibcode=2000Checo..10..169S |s2cid=37846931|issn=0937-7409}}</ref>
A common host plant is the Virginia snakeroot, (''Aristolochia serpentaria''), which can be found in the Eastern United States and in Florida. It has broad-leaved and narrow-leaved forms, and both act as hosts for swallowtail larvae. 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).'' Some ''Aristolochia'' species are actually toxic or extremely distasteful to larvae and thus may act as death traps for the butterflies.<ref name=":0" /> This is especially true of exotic variants.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
=== Adults === Pipevine swallowtail adults use nectar-producing plants as hosts; there are many plants that fit this criterion. These butterflies frequent thistle (''Cirsium'') flowers, the pink and purple flowers of the ''Phlox'' species, and ironweed of ''Vernonia'' species.<ref name="ADW" />
== Life cycle ==
=== Eggs === The eggs of the pipevine swallowtail vary in color from red to orange. They are small and are laid on host plant stems.<ref name="ADW">{{cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Battus_philenor.html|title=''Battus philenor''|last=Ramos|first=I.|work=Animal Diversity Website|publisher=University of Michigan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516025100/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Battus_philenor.html|archive-date=16 May 2011 |url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2011}}</ref> A distinctive feature of these eggs which is shared by all ''Aristolochia'' butterflies is that the outer layer of the egg is covered by a firm and nourishing excretion laid in vertical stripes along the outside.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Battus_philenor/|title=Battus philenor|website=Animal Diversity Web|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref> The egg appears bumpy due to the excretion forming large beads along the bands. The female pipevine swallowtail deposits this excretion from a gland above the ovipositor during the egg laying process.<ref name=":0" />
These butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of host plants in clusters with access to sunlight. The larvae hatch after a few days and immediately eat the remnants of the egg from which they emerged.<ref name=":0" />
=== Larvae === Pipevine swallowtail larvae are around 5 cm in length and vary in color from dark brown to black. In areas of higher temperature such as Texas and Arizona, a red coloring dominates.<ref name=":0" /> Larvae have bright orange spots on the ends of tubercles in rows along their body, and at either end of the body the tubercles are elongated into filaments. Full grown larvae have a glossy or velvet appearance due to many fine hairs. Larvae sex determination can be done by looking at pits along the ventral surface at the ends of the abdominal sections.<ref name=":0" />
Larvae spend almost all their time eating the leaves of their host plants. Once they completely remove edible matter from one plant they move to the next one. They eat in groups at first but as food sources deplete they become more solitary as they move on in search of fresh host plants. Larvae filaments help them identify vertical plants, which are then determined to be host or non-host by using their mouthparts. The larvae feed and wander for several weeks before finding an isolated spot to pupate.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Nice|first1=Chris C.|last2=Fordyce|first2=James A.|date=2006-01-01|title=How caterpillars avoid overheating: behavioral and phenotypic plasticity of pipevine swallowtail larvae|journal=Oecologia|language=en|volume=146|issue=4|pages=541–548|doi=10.1007/s00442-005-0229-7|pmid=16133191|bibcode=2006Oecol.146..541N |s2cid=11628262|issn=0029-8549}}</ref>
=== Pupae === The pipevine swallowtail pupae are colored green or brown. They are about 6 to 7 cm in length. These pupae differ from other swallowtail butterfly pupae in that the sides of their pupae bodies widen into a sort of a winged appearance, with distinctive purplish edges along the sides of these extensions.<ref name=":0" />
Pipevine swallowtail pupation takes place many feet off the ground on tree trunks or other suitable spots. Pupation is rare on green surfaces. Pupation begins when the larva releases silk to form a support structure so that the chrysalis can hang safely. In colder climates, it will spend the winter as a pupa, but in warmer climates, pupation only lasts a few weeks. Prior to emerging as an adult, the wing markings of the butterfly can be seen through the chrysalis.<ref name=":2" />
=== Adults === Pipevine swallowtail adults have a wingspan from 7 to 13 cm. The dorsal wings of an adult male are black with vibrant blue iridescence on the hind wings. Female iridescence is duller in appearance. Bright orange spots are visible on the back end of the ventral wings.<ref name="ADW" /> The adults from Californian populations of these butterflies have smaller and hairier bodies and are thought to be a subspecies ''Battus philenor hirsute.''<ref name=":0" />
The adult pipevine swallowtail male spends most of its time feeding and searching for mates.<ref name="ADW" /> Males have also been observed to take moisture and nutrients from mud, a behavior that is motivated by the presence of other males. Females spend their time feeding, being courted by males, and reproducing. Immediately after emerging from the chrysalis, adult butterflies spend time near the pupa case and dry their wings and remove pupal waste products from their bodies. The butterflies are seen during the spring and summer months.<ref name=":0" /><gallery widths="180" heights="180"> File:Battus philenor (18466985321).jpg|Pipevine swallowtail eggs with vertical stripes File:Battus philenor Caterpillar.jpg|Red pipevine swallowtail larva File:Pipevine Swallowtail larva, Megan McCarty52.jpg|Dark pipevine swallowtail larva File:Pipevine Swallowtail chrysalis, Megan McCarty53.jpg|Pipevine swallowtail chrysalis File:Battus philenor - dorsal.jpg|Pipevine swallowtail dorsal view </gallery>
== Mating ==
=== Mating process === Males frequently visit host plants to find females. Once found, males spend a long time hovering above the female, and courtship occurs as the male fans the female with pheromones from above. The males' iridescent hind wings are also believed to be involved in attracting females. Males may also use sodium taken up from mud as a nuptial gift during mating.<ref name=":0" />
=== Oviposition === Females identify host plants on which to lay their eggs by leaf shape, which can lead to mistakes in egg laying and thus compromising the eggs' survival rates. Aristolochic acid presence may also act as an oviposition chemical stimulant.<ref name=":0" />
== Natural enemies == The pipevine swallowtail larva has few natural predators but there have been observed cases of other butterfly larvae feeding on swallowtail larva. Parasites can also threaten larvae, with certain fly and wasp species being the most dangerous. Birds are the greatest threat to larvae, as many species will eat them whenever they can. As a result of bird predation, this butterfly has evolved a chemical defense using the aristolochic acids found in their host plants.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
== Defense == All host plants for the pipevine swallowtail have some form of aristolochic acids, which the larva sequesters while they feed. These acids are passed on to future eggs, pupa, and adult butterflies, so over generations, the level of acid in the body of the butterflies rises as the acid accumulates. High levels of acid make the larvae and adults unpalatable to bird predation. The bright orange spots present on larvae and adult butterflies are thought to serve as warnings to predators, alerting them to the potential bad taste, should the predator decide to make a meal out of the swallowtail.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Fordyce|first=James A.|date=2001-09-01|title=The lethal plant defense paradox remains: inducible host-plant aristolochic acids and the growth and defense of the pipevine swallowtail|journal=Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata|language=en|volume=100|issue=3|pages=339–346|doi=10.1046/j.1570-7458.2001.00881.x|bibcode=2001EEApp.100..339F |issn=1570-7458|citeseerx=10.1.1.337.135|s2cid=3160005}}</ref>
== Mimicry == As a result of the pipevine swallowtails' natural defense through acid sequestering, many other species of butterflies, like the red-spotted purple butterfly, female eastern tiger swallowtail and eastern black swallowtail butterflies, promothea silkmoth males<ref>{{Cite book|title=Insects through the seasons|last=Gilbert|first=Waldbauer|date=1996|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-45488-0|location=Cambridge, Mass.|oclc=32893542|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/insectsthroughse00wald}}</ref> and the spicebush swallowtail use the pipevine swallowtail as a template for mimicry. Several other swallowtail subspecies have similar coloring to the pipevine swallowtail so that predators may also associate them with distaste. This is called Batesian mimicry. Pipevine swallowtails may also be involved with Müllerian mimicry, in which two distasteful species resemble each other, and thus act as a mimic and model; certain millipede species look like pipevine larvae and release hydrogen cyanide when in danger.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" />
<gallery widths="200" heights="200"> File:Pipevine Swallowtail - Battus philenor, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina.jpg|Pipevine swallowtail UP (model) File:Red Spotted Purple (2455520620).jpg|Red spotted purple butterfly UP (mimic) File:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) (6016411244).jpg|Female eastern tiger swallowtail UP (mimic) File:Pipevine Swallowtail (2661168441).jpg|Pipevine swallowtail UN (model) File:Spicebush Swallowtail (20304827146).jpg|Spicebush swallowtail UN (mimic) </gallery>
== Subspecies == *''Battus philenor hirsuta''
==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== *<small>Edwin Möhn, 1999 ''Schmetterlinge der Erde'', Butterflies of the World Part VIII (8), Papilionidae V. ''New and rare Neotropical Papilionidae''. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach Keltern : Goecke & Evers ; Canterbury : Hillside Books. {{ISBN|978-3-931374-75-4}}, plate 2, f. 3-4, pl. 16, f. 1-2</small>
==External links== {{Commons}} *[http://www.rlephoto.com/swallowtails/swallowtail_pv01.html Pipevine Swallowtail, Butterflies of North Carolina] *[http://www.cirrusimage.com/butterfly_pipevine.htm Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly: Reference large format photographs] Cirrus Digital Imaging *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032756/http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1350 Pipevine Swallowtail, Butterflies and Moths of North America] *[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Battus_philenor.html Pipevine Swallowtail] at Animal Diversity Web *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TrXCSTWzyU Symbiosis: The Pipevine Swallowtail and the Dutchman's Pipevine] by David W. Klemp
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1758032}}
philenor Category:Butterflies of North America Category:Lepidoptera of Mexico Category:Fauna of the San Francisco Bay Area Category:Butterflies described in 1771 Category:Animal taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Lepidoptera of the United States Category:Lepidoptera of Canada