Part
1 of a List of selected
Butterflies & Moths
in Central America
in Belize,
Costa Rica,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Panama
(as seen during FONT tours
in the months of:
January, February, March,
April, July, December)
A Total of 5 Lists compiled by Armas Hill
In the following List #1:
Swallowtails (Papilionidae)
Links to
other Butterfly groupings:
List
#2 -
Whites, Yellows, Sulphurs, Marbles (Pieridae)
List
#3 -
Coppers, Hairstreaks, Blues (Lycaenidae) & Metalmarks (Riodinidae)
List
#4 -
Brushfoots (Nymphalidae)
List
#5 -
Skippers (Hesperlidae)
Codes relating to illustrations in various books:
Numbers noted as (AZ:xx) refer to pages in "Butterflies of Arizona - A
Photographic Guide", by Bob Stewart, Priscilla Brodkin, & Hank Brodkin
(with fine photographs).
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 (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:
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 (*) PRIOR TO THE 2-LETTER
COUNTRY CODE.
Other Links:
Itineraries
for upcoming FONT Tours in:
Costa Rica, Guatemala,
Honduras, & Panama
Birds
during previous tours in:
Costa Rica Guatemala
Honduras Panama
A List of Mammals & Other Wildlife
in Central America (including Reptiles & Amphibians)
List of Butterflies:
Family PAPILIONIDAE: SWALLOWTAILS (and allies):
There are totally
about
700 known species of Swallowtails.
Genus BATTUS: PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAILS:
Totally 15 species
- Battus polydamas polydamas ______ (*) CR (D1:1)
(F:38) (K:37) (PE:5)
(PW:2) (RG:24) (S:55)
Battus polydamus lucianus
Polydamas Swallowtail (also
called
The Gold Rim, or
Black Page)
(throughout the Americas & the Antilles) (subspecies polydamus: mainland Americas)
(In the tropics, continuously brooded. Butterflies live about a week. Very
common near human settlement. The mainland race is variable. Most West Indian
islands have distinct local races.)
- Battus belus varus ______ (D1:1)
(Mexico to Bolivia) (subspecies: Guatemala to Ecuador) (The
yellow-green costal patch and spots are diagnostic.)
- Battus laodamas rhipidius ______ (D1:1)
(Mexico to Colombia) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Battus lycidas ______ (D1:1)
(Mexico to Bolivia)
- Battus crassus ______ (D1:1)
(Costa Rica to Brazil & Argentina)
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.
- Parides eurimedes mylotes ______ (F:68) (PE:text)
Cattleheart
(southern Mexico to northern South America) (In open forested areas. Breeds on Aristolochia species.)
- Parides photinus ______ (*) CR (D1:1)
(F:69)
(Mexico to Costa Rica)
(In lowland & highland rainforest. Breeds on Aristolochia species.
Relatively common.)
- Parides montezuma ______ (D1:1)
(Mexico to Costa Rica)
- Parides sesostris zestos ______ (D1:2)
(F:70)
Southern Cattle Heart
(Mexico to Bolivia) (subspecies: Mexico to Costa Rica)
- Parides childrenae childrenae ______ (*) CR,
(*) PN (D1:2)
Swallowtail Cattleheart
(Mexico to Ecuador) (subspecies: Guatemala to Panama)
- Parides lycimenes lycimenes ______
(D1:2)
(Mexico to Ecuador) (subspecies: Guatemala to Panama)
- Parides erithalion sadyattes ______ (D1:2)
(Costa Rica to Venezuela) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Parides iphidamas iphidamas ______ (*) CR (D1:2)
(Mexico to Ecuador & Peru) (subspecies: Mexico to Panama)
- Parides arcas mylotes ______ (D1:2)
(Mexico to Venezuela) (subspecies: Mexico to Costa Rica, with a white spot
coalesced to green on the forewing)
Genus EURYTIDES: KITE SWALLOWTAILS: About 50 species confined to the New
World. Some mimic Parides and Heliconius butterflies. Others have long tails,
hence the name "Kite Swallowtails". Fast-fliers. Engage in mud-puddling.
- Eurytides ilus ______ (*) PN (sl) (D1:2)
(Panama to Venezuela)
- Eurytides euryleon clusoculis ______ (D1:2)
(Mexico to Ecuador) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Eurytides phaon ______ (D1:2)
(Mexico to Ecuador & Brazil) (This species is a miniature copy of
the larger Papilo birchalli, which occurs from Costa Rica to Colombia.)
- Eurytides branchus ______
(D1:3)
(Mexico to Costa Rica)
- Eurytides pausanis prasinus ______ (D1:3)
(F:41)
(Costa Rica to Brazil) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
(There's mimicry in this species 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, this species is
not common.).
- Eurytides philolaus ______ (*) GU (D1:3)
(K:25) (F:41)
(PE:text) (RG:25)
Dark Kite-Swallowtail
(Mexico to Costa Rica)
(This common butterfly aggregates for mud-puddling in wooded areas and
clearings.)
- Eurytides epidaus epidaus ______ (D1:3)
(Mexico to Costa Rica) (subspecies: eastern Mexico to Costa Rica)
- Eurytides agesilaus eimeri ______ (D1:3)
(Mexico to South America) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Eurytides protesilaus dariensis ______ (*)
GU,(*) CR,(*) PN (D1:3)
KIte Swallowtail
(Mexico to Paraguay) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Eurytides orabilis ______ (D1:3)
(Costa Rica to Colombia)
- Eurytides marchandi panamensis ______ (D1:3)
(F:41)
(Mexico to Ecuador) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
(Inhabits rainforest up to about 3,500 feet above sea level.) (The
sexes are similar.)
- Eurytides calliste olbius ______ (D1:3)
(Mexico to Panama) (subspecies: Costa Rica & Panama)
- Eurytides lacandones lacandones ______ (D1:3)
(Mexico to Bolivia) (subspecies: Mexico to Panama)
Genus: PAPILIO: 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.
- Papilio cresphontes ______ (*) GU, (*) PN
(AZ:21) (D1:4)
(F:56) (K:39) (PE:2,4,6)(PW:4)
(RG:30,31) (S:50)
Giant Swallowtail (or Orange Dog)
(Canada to Panama & Colombia)
(Habitual flower visitors. Breeds on citrus. Widespread and common.) (It's
been written that this species & the following (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).
- Papilio thoas nealces ______ (*) CR,(*) PN (sl) (C:295) (D1:4) (K:38
text) (PE:6) (RG:28)
Thoas Swallowtail (very similar to
Giant Swallowtail K:39)
(southern US thru Central & South America, also: Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad)
(subspecies: Nicaragua to Brazil & Ecuador)
- Papilio ornythion ______ (F:63) (K:39)
(PE:6)(PW:4)
(RG:32)
Ornythion Swallowtail
(Mexico & Guatemala)
(The sexes look alike but the female is larger. In open wooded areas and
gardens. Breeds on citrus.)
- Papilio astyalus pallas ______ (C:299)
(D1:4) (F:54) (K:43) (PE:6)(PW:4)
(RG:33)
Broad-banded Swallowtail (also called
Astyalus (or Lycophron) Swallowtail)
(southern US to Argentina) (subspecies: Mexico to Costa Rica)
(Found in areas forested with tropical hardwoods. Like many Papilio, the
caterpillars breed on citrus.)
- Papilio androgeus epidaurus ______ (D1:4)
(F:52) (K:41)
(PE:6)
Androgeus Swallowtail (or
Queen Page)