Polydamas Swallowtail, Gold Rim, Tailless Swallowtail, Battus polydamas lucayus (Rothschild & Jordan) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Troidini)

Donald W. Hall

Release Date: 12/2/2020

Reviewed At: 9/28/2023

DOI: 10.32473/edis-in219-1998

Agriculture

Abstract

This document provides a detailed profile of the Polydamas swallowtail butterfly, Battus polydamas lucayus. It covers its nomenclature, distribution, physical description, life cycle, host plants, and defenses. The article highlights the butterfly's unique characteristics, such as its tailless wings and its larvae's exclusive feeding on Aristolochia plants. It also discusses the butterfly's role in pollination and its interactions with predators. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Original publication date November 1998.

About this Publication

This document is EENY-062, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1998. Revised July 2010, August 2011, October 2015, August 2016, March 2017 and March 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website at http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/.

About the Authors

Donald W. Hall, professor, Entomology and Nematology Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Hall, D. W. (2017). Polydamas Swallowtail, Gold Rim, Tailless Swallowtail, Battus polydamas lucayus (Rothschild & Jordan) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Troidini). EDIS, 2017(3). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in219-1998