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(Mimoides ilus branchus) butterflies practice Batesian mimicry, a behavior in which the butterflies' appearance closely resemble that of a distasteful species (Batwing Swallowtails) that prevents predation. Swallowtails differ from many animals that practice mimicry.
Non-mimicking butterflies have longer lifespans, if they survive predation, relative to those who mimic.
Diet: caterpillars feed on many different plants in the Apiaceae, or carrot family, including Queen Anne's lace, celery, parsley, carrots, dill, and parsnip.
Diet: adults eat nectar from a variety of plants including clover, milkweed, thistles, and phlox.
Avg. Wingspan: 7.62 - 9.65 cm / 3 - 3.8 "
Also known as the Mimic Kite Swallowtail butterfly
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta, Order: Lepidoptera
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
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