Battus philenor Genomic Resources. Battus philenor

The genus Battus is represented by circa 12 largely Neotropical species within a largely pantropical tribe, the Troidini, within the cosmopolitan family Papilionidae. Troidines are known as the 'Aristolochia butterflies' because most species exclusively use plants in the family Aristolochiaceae (Pipevines), on which they lay eggs and which then serve as hosts for their larvae. Pipevines are armed with a potent toxin called aristolochic acid, which has been co opted through the evolution of sequestration, the larvae feed on the plant's leaves, accumulating aristolochic acid and through warning coloration, advertise their toxicity to birds. These data have been produced as part of the CCGP. For more information, go to:ccgproject.org