Gold rim swallowtail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold rim swallowtail |
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| B. p. jamaicensis | |
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The gold rim swallowtail (scientific name: Battus polydamas) is a beautiful type of butterfly. It's also known as the Polydamas swallowtail or the tailless swallowtail. A famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus first described this butterfly in 1758. It belongs to the Papilionidae family, which includes many large and colorful butterflies.
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What it Looks Like
The gold rim swallowtail is a medium to large butterfly. Its wingspan can be from 90 to 120 millimeters (about 3.5 to 4.7 inches). It doesn't have the long "tails" that many other swallowtail butterflies have.
The top of its wings are mostly black. They have a wide band of bright yellow spots near the edges. The underside of the front wings looks similar to the top. However, the underside of the back wings has a row of red, crescent-shaped spots.
Life Cycle and Habits
This butterfly flies for many months of the year. In cooler northern areas, you might see it from April to November. In warmer tropical places, it can be seen all year round.
The young butterflies, called larvae (or caterpillars), eat plants from the Aristolochia family. These plants are important for the butterfly's survival.
Where it Lives
The gold rim swallowtail lives in many parts of the Americas. You can find it in the Neotropical realm. This includes Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean islands. It also lives in the southern United States, especially in Texas and Florida.
Its Home
You'll often find Battus polydamas in open woods. They also like abandoned fields where plants can grow freely.
Different Types of Gold Rim Swallowtails
There are many different types, or subspecies, of the gold rim swallowtail. These are slightly different versions of the butterfly that live in various places. Some of these subspecies are:
- B. p. archidamas lives in Chile.
- B. p. cubensis is found in Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
- B. p. dominicus lives on the island of Dominica.
- B. p. lucayus is found in Florida and the Bahamas.
- B. p. polydamas is the most common type in tropical Central and South America.
- B. p. thyamus lives in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Sadly, some subspecies are no longer around. For example, B. p. antiquus from Antigua is now extinct. Another one, B. p. christopheranus from Saint Kitts and Nevis, might also be extinct.
See also
In Spanish: Battus polydamas para niños
- List of butterflies of Jamaica
Images for kids
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B. p. jamaicensis, Jamaica
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