The Polydamas Butterfly (Battus polydamas) is a member of the Swallowtail Butterfly Family but does not have the characteristic tails on the hind wings. Another species, the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is not present in the Butterfly Garden now but will be when the Butterfly House gets going. The male has irridescent blue hindwings in the male and the female is brown. They have similar looking caterpillars which are easy to tell apart when you note the different size of the tentacles on the head.
Both of these species require Pipevines (Aristolocia species) as host plants. Pipevines have odd pipe-shaped flowers and are members of the Birthwort family. These plants have a long history of being used to alleviate pain and infection in childbirth and to treat snakebite. Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) is native species that can be found in this area. The Elegant Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia elegans) is a cultivated exotic with large strange-looking flowers. It is being watched as a potential invasive and the leaves can be too toxic for young caterpillars although older caterpillars can eat them and the flowers appear to be ok.
