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Part 1 of a List of selected

Central America
Butterflies 
and Moths

Noting those during 
Focus On Nature Tours

in Belize
Costa Rica
Guatemala 
Honduras
Panama

(with tours in the months of: 
 January, February, March, 
 April, July, December)


A List of Central America Butterflies in 5 Parts, compiled by Armas Hill


In the following Part #1: Swallowtails (Papilionidae)  

Including, in this list, photographs of: Pipevine Swallowtail, Polydamas Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, 
Androgenus Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail
The above-right photo is of the black form of a Black Swallowtail. There is also a yellow form.
 

Links to other Butterfly groupings:

Part #2 - Whites, Yellows, Sulphurs, Marbles (Pieridae)

Part #3 - Copper, Hairstreaks, Blues (Lycaenidae) & Metalmarks (Riodinidae) 

Part #4 - Brushfoots (Nymphalidae)

Part #5 - Skippers (Hesperiidae)

Codes relating to illustrations in various books: 


Numbers noted as (BAPG:xx) refer to pages in "Butterflies of Arizona - A Photographic Guide", by Bob Stewart, Priscilla Brodkin, & Hank Brodkin (with fine photographs).

Numbers noted as (BMCR:xx) refer to plates in "Butterflies and Moths of Costa Rica" by Isidro Chacon & Jose Montero 

Numbers noted as (C:xx) refer to pages in "A World of Butterflies", with text by Brian Cassie, and photographs (superb) by Kjell Sandved

Numbers noted as (D1:xx) refer to plates in "The Butterflies of Costa Rica and their Natural History (Volume 1): Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae", by Philip J. DeVries   

Numbers noted as (F:xx) refer to pages in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies", by Dr. John Feltwell  

Numbers noted as (K:xx) refer to pages in the "Kaufman Focus Guide to Butterflies of North America", by Jim Brock & Kenn Kaufman

Numbers noted as (MCA:xx) refer to pages in "A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico & Central America" by Jeffrey Glassberg 

Numbers noted as (PE:xx) refer to plates in the "Peterson Field Guides to Eastern Butterflies", by Paul Opler & Vichai Malikul, 1998 edition. Those noted as (PEp:xx) refer to a page with a photograph.

Numbers noted as (PW:xx) refer to plates in the "Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies", by Paul Opler & illustrated by Amy Bartlett Wright, 1999 edition. Those noted as (PWp:xx) refer to a page with a photograph. 

Numbers noted as (RG:xx) refer to pages in "Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley" by Roland Wauer.

Numbers noted as (S:xx) refer to pages in the "Smithsonian Handbook, Butterflies & Moths", by David Carter.

Additional Codes:

BZ:   in Belize
CR:  in Costa Rica
GU:  in Guatemala
HN:  in Honduras
PN:  in Panama

(sl): at Sierra Llorona, in hills on the Caribbean side of Panama 

BUTTERFLIES OBSERVED DURING FONT TOURS NOTED BY AN (*) AFTER THE 2-LETTER COUNTRY CODE.
 


Other Links:

Itineraries for upcoming FONT Tours in:
Belize, Costa Rica,  Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, & Panama

Birds during previous tours in:
Costa Rica   Guatemala   Honduras   Panama

A List of Mammals in Central America

List of Butterflies, Part #1:

         Family PAPILIONIDAE: SWALLOWTAILS (and allies): 
         Worldwide, there are totally about 700 known species of Swallowtails.

         Genus BATTUS: PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAILS:  Totally 15 species 
 

1. Battus philenor  ______  (BAPG:23) (K:27) (MCA:8) (PE:5)(PW:2)  (RG:22,23)
   Pipevine Swallowtail
   (Range; southern USA to southern Mexico, with an isolated race in the Yucatan) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Pipevine Swallowtails photographed during a FONT tour 
   (photos by Doris Potter)
    
   
2. Battus polydamas polydamas ______  CR(*)  (BMCR:98) (D1:1) (F:38) (K:37) (MCA:8) (PE:5) (PW:2) (RG:24) (S:55) (subspecies on mainland Americas)
   Polydamas Swallowtail (also called The Gold Rim, or Black Page)
   (Range: throughout the Americas & the Antilles) 
   
   In the tropics, Battus polydamus is continuously brooded. Butterflies live about a week. They are very common near human settlement. The mainland race is variable. Most West Indian islands have distinct local races. 
   
   
   
   
   Polydamas Swallowtail
   
   
3. Battus belus varus ______  (BMCR:98) (D1:1)  (subspecies from Guatemala to Ecuador)
   Belus Swallowtail
   (Range: southern Mexico to Bolivia & Brazil)  
   
   The yellow-green costal patch and spots of Battus belus are diagnostic. 
   
   
4. Battus laodamas rhipidius ______ (D1:1) (MCA:9)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
   Yellow-spotted Swallowtail
   (Range: Mexico to Colombia) 
   
   
5. Battus lycidas  ______  (BMCR:98) (D1:1) (MCA:9)
   Yellow-trailed Swallowtail
   (Range: Mexico to Bolivia)
   
   
6. Battus ingenuus  ______  (MCA:9)
   Confused Swallowtail
   
   
7. Battus crassus ______ (D1:1)
   Crassus Swallowtail
   (Range: Costa Rica to Venezuela & Ecuador)
   
   
   Genus PARIDES: CATTLEHEARTS:  Totally 50 species, many of which are brightly colored. Species in this genus have a great variety of wingshapes. Some are tailed. Most species are with similar livery. Sexually dimorphic. These are generally subdued butterflies with a preference for shaded areas and thickets.    
   
   
8. Parides eurimedes (has been arcas) mylotes  ______  (BMCR:100) (D1:2) (F:68) (MCA:11) (PE:text)  (subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica, with a white spot coalesced to green on the forewing)
   Pink-cheeked Cattleheart
   (Range: southern Mexico to Venezuela)  
   
   The Pink-cheeked Cattleheart occurs in open forested areas. It breeds on Aristolochia species.
   
   
9. Parides photinus ______  CR(*)  (D1:1) (F:69) (MCA:12)
   Pink-spotted Cattleheart
   (Range: Mexico to Costa Rica)
   
   The Pink-spotted Cattleheart occurs In lowland & highland rainforest. It breeds on Aristolochia species, and is relatively common.   
   
   
10. Parides montezuma ______ (D1:1) (MCA:12)
    Montezuma's Cattleheart
    (Range: Mexico to Costa Rica)
    
    
11. Parides sesostris zestos ______  (BMCR:100) (D1:2) (F:70) (MCA:10)  (subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica)
    Emerald-patched Cattleheart
    (Range: Mexico to Bolivia) 
    
    
12. Parides childrenae childrenae ______  CR(*)  PN(*)  (BMCR:99) (D1:2) (MCA:10)  (subspecies from Guatemala to Panama)
    Green-celled Cattleheart 
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador) 
    
    
13. Parides panares (formerly lycimenes) lycimenes ______  (BMCR:100) (D1:2) (MCA:11)  (subspecies from Guatemala to Panama)
    Parides panares panares  ______  (MCA:11)  (subspecies in southern Mexico & Guatemala)
    Wedge-spotted Cattleheart
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador) 
    
    
14. Parides erithalion sadyattes ______  (BMCR:100) (D1:2) (MCA:12)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Variable Cattleheart
    (Range: Costa Rica to Venezuela) 
    
    
15. Parides iphidamas iphidamas ______  BZ(*)  CR(*)  (BMCR:100) (D1:2) (MCA:10)  (subspecies from Mexico to Panama)
    Transandean Cattleheart
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador & Peru) 
    
    
     
    
    A Transandean Cattleheart photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Marie Gardner)
    
    
    Genus MIMOIDES:  KITE-SWALLOWTAILS: was part of the following genus EURYTIDES 
    
    
16. Mimoides (formerly Eurytides) ilus branchus  ______  PN(*) (sl)  (D1:2) (D1:3) (MCA:13)  (subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica)
    Dual-spotted Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Venezuela)
    
    
17. Mimoides (formerly Eurytides) euryleon clusoculis ______  (BMCR:99) (D1:2)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    False Cattleheart Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador) 
    
    
18. Mimoides (formerly Eurytides) phaon ______ (D1:2) (MCA:13)
    Red-sided Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador & Brazil)  
    
    Mimoides phaon is a miniature copy of the larger Papilo birchalli, which occurs from Costa Rica to Colombia. 
    
    
19. Mimoides (formerly Eurytides) thymbraeus  ______  (MCA:13)
    White-crescent Swallowtail
    
    
20. Mimoides (formerly Eurytides) pausanis prasinus ______  (BMCR:99) (D1:3) (F:41)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Bluish Mimic-Swallowtail
    (Range: Costa Rica to Brazil) 
    
    There is mimicry in Mimoides pausanis of the heliconid butterflies: Heliconius clytia & Heliconius wallacei, It has been perfected by this swallowtail, which shares the same habitats - rainforest glades and other open areas. Overall, Mimoides  pausanis is not common.
    
    
    Genus EURYTIDES: KITE SWALLOWTAILS:  Together with EURYTIDES, about 50 species confined to the New World. Some mimic PARIDES and HELICONIUS butterflies. Others have long tails, hence the name "Kite Swallowtails". Fast-flyers. Engage in mud-puddling.    
    
    
21. Eurytides philolaus ______   GU(*)  (D1:3) (K:25) (F:41) (MCA:14) (PE:text) (RG:25)
    Dark Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Costa Rica)
    
    The Dark Kite-Swallowtail is a common butterfly that aggregates for mud-puddling in wooded areas and clearings. 
    
    
22. Eurytides epidaus epidaus  ______  GU(*)  (BMCR:101) (D1:3) (MCA:14)  (subspecies from eastern Mexico to Costa Rica)
    Guatemalan Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Costa Rica) 
    
    
23. Eurytides agesilaus eimeri ______  (D1:3) (MCA:14)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Short-lined Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to South America) 
    
    
24. Eurytides macrosilaus  ______  (MCA:14)
    Bow-lined Kite-Swallowtail
    
    
25. Eurytides salvini  ______  (MCA:14)
    Salvin's Kite-Swallowtail 
    
    
26. Eurytides dioxippus (formerly lacandones) lacanadones  ______  (D1:3) (MCA:14)  (subspecies from Mexico to Panama)
    Thick-bordered Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Bolivia)
    
    
27. Eurytides protesilaus dariensis  ______  CR(*)  PN(*)  (D1:3)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Great KIte-Swallowtail
    (Range: Costa Rica to Venezuela) 
    
    
28. Eurytides orabilis orabilis  ______  (BMCR:98) (D1:3)  (subspecies in Costa Rica)
    Thick-edged Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Costa Rica to Colombia)
    
    
29. Eurytides thyastes (formerly marchandi) panamensis ______  (BMCR:101) D1:3) (F:41) (MCA:14)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Orange Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador) 
    
    Eurytides thyastes inhabits rainforest up to about 3,500 feet above sea level. The sexes are similar.  
    
    
30. Eurytides calliste olbius ______  (BMCR:101) (D1:3) (MCA:14)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Yellow Kite-Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Panama)  
    
    
    Genus: PAPILIO  (or HERACLIDES, PTEROURUS, PRIAMIDES): 
    FLUTED SWALLOWTAILS: one of the most widespread of genera, with over 200 species. Most are tropical. Most are tailed. Many are migratory. These are the largest of the Swallowtails. They are butterflies of the sunshine, paths, roads, and open county. They readily visit flowers such as: Lantana, Bauhinia, Bougainvillea, and Hibiscus.
    
    
31. Papilio polyxenes stabilis  ______  CR(*)  GU(*)  PN(*)  (BMCR:101) (D1:4)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama) 
    Papilio polyxenes asterius ______ (BAPG:9,11) (C:203) (F:65) (K:29) (MCA:17) (PE:2,4,514)(PW:3) (RG:26,27)  (subspecies from Canada & the US south to El Salvador) 
    Black Swallowtail
    (Range: Canada thru Central & South America)  
    
    The Black Swallowtail an defoliate vegetables such as carrot, celery and parsnip, hence a name "Parsnip Swallowtail".
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Black Swallowtails
    
    
32. Papilio (or Heraclides) cresphontes ______  GU(*)  PN(*)  (AZ:21) (BMCR:99) (D1:4) (F:56) (K:39) (MCA:16) (PE:2,4,6)(PW:4) (RG:30,31) (S:50)
    Giant Swallowtail 
    (Range: Canada to Panama & Colombia) 
    
    The Giant Swallowtail is a habitual flower visitor. It breeds on citrus, and is widespread and common. 
    
    It's been written that Papilio cresphontes & the following (Papilio thoas) are not distinguishable other than by the "fingernail test". In thoas, the back of the abdomen is smooth. In cresphontes, "there is a distinct notch near the tip (of the abdomen).     
    
    
    
    
    Giant Swallowtail
    (photo by Marie Gardner)
    
    
33. Papilio (or Heraclides) thoas nealces ______  CR(*)  PN(*) (sl)  (BMCR:99) (C:295) (D1:4) (K:38 text) (MCA:16) (PE:6) (RG:28)  (subspecies from Nicaragua to Ecuador & Brazil)
    Thoas Swallowtail  
    (Range: southern US thru Central & South America, also: Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad) 
    
    The Thoas Swallowtail is very similar to the Giant Swallowtail (see note with the preceding species).
    
    
    
    
    A Thoas Swallowtail photographed during a FONT tour 
    
    
34. Papilio (or Heraclides) ornythion ______  (F:63) (K:39) (MCA:16) (PE:6)(PW:4) (RG:32)
    Ornythion Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico & Guatemala)
    
    The sexes of Papilio ornythion look alike but the female is larger. It occurs in open wooded areas and gardens, and breeds on citrus.
    
    
35. Papilio (or Heraclides) astyalus pallas ______  (C:299) (D1:4) (F:54) (K:43) (MCA:17) (PE:6)(PW:4) (RG:33)  (subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica)
    Broad-banded Swallowtail (also called Astyalus (or Lycophron) Swallowtail)
    (Range: southern US to Argentina)
      
    The Broad-banded Swallowtail is found in areas forested with tropical hardwoods. Like many Papilio, the caterpillars breed on citrus.
    
    
36. Papilio (or Heraclides) androgeus epidaurus ______  (BMCR:98) (D1:4) (F:52) (K:41) (MCA:17) (PE:6)  (subspecies from Mexico to Panama)
    Androgeus Swallowtail (or Queen Page)
    (Range: Mexico to Argentina, also West Indies)
     
    The female Androgeus Swallowtail tends to be reclusive, not often seen. She is polymorphic, with green hindwings, and no yellow band on the forewings. The male spends much of his time in the forest canopy, occasionally coming down to mud-puddle.
    
    
    
    
    Androgenus Swallowtail (or Queen Page)
    
    
37. Papilio (or Heraclides) torquatus tolmides ______ (D1:4)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Papilio (or Heraclides) torquatus tolus ______ (D1:4)
    Torquatus Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Bolivia)  
    
    The female of Papilio torquatus is polymorphic, with a white spot on the forewing, and the color of the "pink" patch on the hindwing is variable.
    
    
38. Papilio (or Heraclides) isidorus (formerly rhodostictus) rhodostictus ______  (BMCR:99) (D1:6)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Ruby-patched Swallowtail
    (Range: Costa Rica to Ecuador) 
    
    
39. Papilio (or Heraclides) anchisiades idaeus ______ (*) CR  (BAPG:355) (BMCR:98) (D1:6) (F:52) (K:43) (MCA:18) (PE:text)(PW:5) (RG:37) (S:48)  (subspecies from Mexico to Panama)
    Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (also called Anchisiades Swallowtail)
    (Range: Texas to Argentina)  
    
    Papilio anchisiades is often found at citrus trees.
    
    
40. Pipilio (or Heraclides) erostratus  ______  (MCA:19)
    Pale-spotted Swallowtail
    
    
41. Papilio (or Pterourus) garamas abderus ______  (MCA:20) (RG:35)  (this subspecies, in eastern Mexico, sometimes called Abderus Swallowtail)
    Papilio (or Pterourus) garamas electryon  ______  (subspecies from Mexico to Honduras)
    Papilio (or Pterourus) garamas syedra ______  (BMCR:101) (D1:5)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Magnificent Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Panama) 
    
    
42. Papilio (or Pterourus) victorinus vulneratus ______ (D1:5) (F:67) (MCA:19) (PE:text)  (subspecies in northern Costa Rica)
    Papilio (or Pterourus) victorinus (or menatius) laetitia  ______  (D1:5, where it is Papilio cleotas archytas) (subspecies in southern Costa Rica & Panama)  
    Victorine Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil) 
     
    The Victorine Swallowtail lives in forested areas. It spends much of its time in the canopy, and breeds on the native avocado, Persea americana.   
    The female of this large butterfly, Papilio victorinus (or menatius) laetitia, is dimorphic; one form is similar to the male. 
    
    
43. Papilio (or Pterourus) multicaudatus  ______  GU(*)  (K:23) (MCA:15) (PE:7)(PW:6)
    Two-tailed Swallowtail
    (Range: western North America, from southern Canada to southern Mexico & Guatemala)
    
    The Two-tailed Swallowtail occurs in foothill canyons & slopes, in inhabited areas. 
    
    
44. Papilio (or Pterourus) pilumnus ______   (BAPG:355) (F:65) (K:43) (MCA:15) (PE:text)(PW:6) (RG:34)
    Three-tailed (Tiger) Swallowtail
    (Range: Mexico to El Salvador)  
    
    Papilio pilumnus is typical of the "tiger swallowtails", with tiger stripes.
    
        
45. Papilio (or Pterourus) birchalli bryki ______  (BMCR:101) (D1:5)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    (or Pterourus) birchalli bryki ______  (BMCR:101) (D1:5)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Green-washed Swallowtail 
    (Range: Honduras to Colombia) 
    
    
46. Papilio (or Pterourus) zagreus (formerly ascolius) zalates ______  PN(*) (sl)  (D1:6) (F:53)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    Orange Mimic-Swallowtail
    (Range: Nicaragua to Colombia) 
    
    Papilio zagreus has an almost typical heliconid shape, with elongated forewings.
    
    
47. Papilio (or Priamides) pharnaces  ______  (MCA:18)
    Pink-spotted Swallowtail

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