Family Papilionidae Scientific name Parides iphidamas | Tribe Troidini Rank Subspecies | |
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Similar Parides, Parides photinus, Parides childrenae, Parides erithalion, Parides eurimedes | ||
Parides iphidamas
Parides iphidamas, the Iphidamas cattleheart or Transandean cattleheart, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae.
Contents
Parides iphidamas
Subspecies
Description
Parides iphidamas has a wingspan of about 10 centimetres (3.9 in). The dorsal sides of the forewings are black, with a broad green and white spots (completely white in females), while the dorsal sides of the hindwings show a broad red band or spot. Along the edges there are many small yellow spots. The undersides of the wings are black with a white band on the forewings and several pink patches on the hindwings. The body of the butterfly is black with red dots. The poisonous caterpillars are chocolate brown, with white or brown protrusions resembling thorns. The host plants are various toxic Aristolochia species (A. cordiflora, A. maxima, A. odoratissma, A. pilosa, A. ringens, and A. tonduzii).
Distribution
This species is native to the Central and South America. It occurs from southeastern Mexico to Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru.
Ecozone
This butterfly lives in the Neotropical ecozone.
Habitat
It is common in various habitats, ranging from open lowlands to wooded areas and tropical forests from sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 ft). Females mainly occur where the caterpillar host plant are located, in forest clearings and along forest edges.
