Papilionidae : Papilioninae
Heraclides caiguanabus (Poey, [1852])
Poey's Swallowtail
Heraclides caiguanabus (Poey, [1852])
Poey's Swallowtail
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 80-96mm. Sexually dimorphic as females have longer tails and pale blue spots on the upper hindwing rather than yellow. This makes them easily confusable with De Villiers' Swallowtail Battus devilliers in flight. Males are slightly smaller and can easily be confused with Polydamas Swallowtail Battus polydamas especially in flight though that of course lacks the tails of H. caiguanabus. Both sexes have a red spot at the tornus of the hindwing. The slightly larger Cuban King Anetia cubana has similar markings and might also be confused if seen in flight only and this of course also lacks the tails.
Range: Endemic to Cuba.
Status: Widespread throughout the island and more common at the eastern end. Most often seen near seashores and not usually found in mountains (Hernandez).
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara.
Larval Foodplants: Has been reared on Securinega acidothamnus (Euphorbiaceae). Also on Zanthoxylum.
Range: Endemic to Cuba.
Status: Widespread throughout the island and more common at the eastern end. Most often seen near seashores and not usually found in mountains (Hernandez).
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara.
Larval Foodplants: Has been reared on Securinega acidothamnus (Euphorbiaceae). Also on Zanthoxylum.
