Tropical-butterfly
Guides
Battus polydamas polydamas
Polydamas Swallowtail, Gold Rim Swallowtail, Tailless Swallowtail
The Polydamas swallowtail is a tailless swallowtail butterfly distinguished by its black wings with red or pink spots and a characteristic gold band along the wing margins. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and are notable for their complete lack of tail-like extensions on the hindwings—a unique trait among New World swallowtails. The species serves as a model for Batesian mimicry, with its aposematic coloration warning predators of its chemical defenses derived from toxic host plants.
Phocides urania
Rainbow Skipper
Phocides urania, commonly known as the Rainbow Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is native to Middle America and is recognized for its colorful appearance. The species was originally described by Westwood in 1852 under the basionym Erycides urania. As a member of the subfamily Pyrginae, it belongs to a diverse group of skippers often associated with tropical and subtropical habitats.