Parides alopius
| White-dotted Cattleheart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Genus: | Parides |
| Species: | P. alopius |
| Binomial name | |
| Parides alopius (Godman & Salvin, 1890) | |
 | |
The White-dotted Cattleheart (Parides alopius) is an endemic Mexican butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It has also strayed once into the United States in southeastern Arizona.[1]
Description
The upper side of the wings are black with the hind wing having two rows of submarginal spots: the first row, white; and the second row, pink. Males have fewer white spots than females. The underside of the wings are similar except the hind wing pink spots are more conspicuous.[1] It has a wingspan of 3–3.5 in (76–89 mm).
Flight
This species has been seen on the wing from March to November.[2]
Habitat
The White-dotted Cattleheart may be encountered in pine-oak forests.[2]
Life cycle
The larva is ringed with black and white bands and has yellow and reddish-brown fleshy projections. Each side of the body contains red, orange, and white spots. The chrysalis is shaped very similar to that of the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). It is a blue-green color with the head, parts of the thorax, and abdomen a bright yellow-green color. It is unknown whether the chrysalis has a brown form or not.[3]
Host Plants
The only known recorded host plant for the White-dotted Cattleheart is Watson's Pipevine (Aristolochia watsonii).[1]
Status
Uncommon and known from very few localities, but is not known to be threatened.[4]
Etymology
Named in the Classical tradition. Alopius was the son of Antiope the daughter of Thespius.
References
- 1 2 3 Jim P. Brock and Kenn Kaufman (2003). Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY. ISBN 0-618-15312-8
- 1 2 "White-dotted Cattleheart", Butterflies and Moths of North America
- ↑ "Parides alopius", Mariposa Mexicanas
- ↑ Tyler, H.A. (1975). The Swallowtail Butterflies of North America. Naturegraph Publishers, viii + 192 pp.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parides alopius. |
- Parides alopius, Butterflies of America