Appearance
''Parides iphidamas'' has a wingspan reaching about 10 centimetres . The dorsal sides of the forewings are black, with a broad green and white spots , while the dorsal sides of the hindwings show a broad red band or spot. Along the edges there are many yellow small spots. The undersides of the wings are black with a white band on the forewings and several pink patches on the hindwings. The body of the butterfly is black with red dots. The poisonous caterpillars are chocolate-brown, with white or brown protrusions resembling thorns. The host plants are various toxic Aristolochia species .
Naming
* ''Parides iphidamas iphidamas''⤷ ''Parides iphidamas ayabacensis''
⤷ ''Parides iphidamas calogyna''
⤷ ''Parides iphidamas elatos''
⤷ ''Parides iphidamas gorgonae'' Vélez & Salazar, 1991
⤷ ''Parides iphidamas phalias''
⤷ ''Parides iphidamas teneates''
Distribution
This species is native to the Central and South Americas. It occurs from Southeastern Mexico to Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru.
Habitat
It is common in various habitats, ranging fron open lowlands to wooded areas and tropical forests, from sea level to 1,200 meters . Females mainly occur where the caterpillar host plant are located, in forest clearing and along forest edges.References:
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