About Parides photinus (Doubleday, 1844)
Parides photinus has a wingspan of 90–100 millimetres, or 3.5–3.9 inches. Adult Parides photinus are black, and their hindwings have a blue-green metallic sheen, particularly in males. There are no wing bands. Two rows of red spots run along the margin of the hindwing. The submarginal spots are strongly arched, with the exception of the upper two or three spots and the anal spot. The anal anal spot is only distinct on the upperside of the hindwing in females. Hindwings of this species have short tails. The underside of the wings is similar in appearance to the upperside. The larvae of Parides photinus feed on Aristolochia grandiflora and Aristolochia asclepiadifolia. A complete formal description of this species was published by Rothschild, W. and Jordan, K. in 1906.
This species occurs from Mexico through Nicaragua and Honduras to Costa Rica. It inhabits forest environments, where it ranges from common to abundant. Its elevational range extends from sea level up to 5000 feet, or 1500 metres.
