Scientists have determined that pipevine plants contain chemicals that when ingested by the caterpillars make them poisonous. The Pipevine swallowtail spans from southern Connecticut to Central Florida, west to Arizona and south into Mexico. It is supposed to provide the caterpillar protection from predators. The pipevine swallowtail also inhabits in the orchards, forests, gardens, deserts etc. It is seen that a clan of caterpillar sometimes kills their main plant. One can spot these species in the Northern Parts of the Globe from April to October while during the months of February to November, they are found in the Southern countries. Can be attracted to gardens with pipevines, and with flowers such as Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, and milkweeds. 1st & 2nd Grade: Use the Internet to find three images: one picture of the pipevine swallowtail, one of the environment it lives in, and one of what it eats. They would not have been fully grown after just two more days of feeding. Habitats of Black Swallowtail These species are actually found in the fields, suburban areas, roadsides and meadows. Since Battus philenor is brightly colored, it warns predators that it is poisonous. Some species use the pipevine swallowtail as a template for mimicry. The pupa stays in hibernation during the winter months. Battus philenor can also be found in gardens or at the edges of woodlands (Glassberg, 2001). This is a walk that we  frequently take, but this particular summer morning Doogie saddled up to what was a new tree for him. These pupa are actually found in different shapes along with curves and horns. Many people find it difficult to take clear photographs of these beauties. Is it by random chance or is it found by sensors located somewhere on the body? Battus philenor hirsuta, the California pipevine swallowtail or hairy pipevine swallowtail, is a subspecies of the pipevine swallowtail that is endemic to Northern California in the United States. The butterfly is black with hindwings that have iridescent green-blue coloring above and a row of red spots below; the caterpillars are black with fleshy protrusions and orange spots. These insects start off as eggs, before going through various forms to get to the final butterfly metamorphosis. I have heard of concrete slabs, bridges and overhangs in northern California where hundreds of chrysalids hang suspended. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091. Initially the larvae are found in clans. Habitat:Open, sunny, upland fields with flowers. The Pipevine Swallowtail or Blue Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a swallowtail butterfly found in North America and Central America. In the meantime I think Doogie and I will go looking for more pipevines. Pipevine Swallowtail « Previous. One of my more exciting finds occurred while walking my dog, Doogie, around the block one morning. Animal Kingdom, Animal Place, Animal Pictures, Animal Facts…, Scientific Classification of Pipevine Swallowtail: Battus Philenor, Kingdom of Pipevine Swallowtail: Animalia, Phylum of Pipevine Swallowtail: Arthropoda, Order of Pipevine Swallowtail: Lepidoptera, Family of Pipevine Swallowtail: Papilionidae, Species of Pipevine Swallowtail: B.philenor. These butterflies found mainly in parts of America are of the toxic variety. Caterpillar Form. In between field trips last summer I was checking out one of my nectar plants that was apparently not getting enough water. The pipevine swallowtail butterfly, Battus philenor, is a relatively small black swallowtail with gorgeous, iridescent blue scaling.It measures approximately 7–10 cm (2.75–4 in) from tip of wing to tip of wing. The size of a developed larvae ranges between 1.5 to 2 inches. In case of these particular species, the stages are too intricate, as they transform rapidly from one stage to another. The Pipevine Swallowtail osmeterium will be brightly colored reddish orange. In case of these particular species, the stages are too intricate, as they transform rapidly from one stage to another. The reason we don’t see them very often is that its host plant is harder to find. Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (Battus philenor) Characteristics, Identifcation and Size. I collect seed from my existing plants when the opportunity arises and throw them around my property. There are perhaps as many as three generations per year in some areas of the country. Pipevine Swallowtails get their name from their caterpillars’ preferred food, the leaves of the Pipevine (genus Aristolochia). 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