Dark Kite-Swallowtail (Eurytides philolaus [Boisduval])
Wing span: 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 inches (9 - 9.5 cm).
Identification: Upper surface of male forewing has broad black bars; female similar or an almost completely black form. Both with long tails.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Two flights during March-November. Most numerous at beginning of rainy season.
Caterpillar hosts: Shrubs and small trees of Annonaceae family.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Deciduous-semideciduous tropical forests of lower elevations.
Range: South Texas (only rarely) south to Costa Rica.
Conservation: None noted.
Management needs: Not needed for tropical stray.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
References:
Beutelspacher, C. R. 1984. Mariposas de Mexico, Fasciculo I. LaPrensa Medica Mexicana, S. A. 171 pages, 20 color plates. Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates. Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
State and Regional References:
Neck, R.W. 1996. A Field Guide to Butterflies of Texas. Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas. Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo. Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Tveten, J. and Tveten, G. 1996. Butterflies of Houston & Southeast Texas. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 292 pp.