Battus madyes has a wingspan reaching about 70 millimetres (2.8 in).

The body is black, while the abdomen of the male is yellowish white above.

The dorsal side of the wings is black or dark brown with a submarginal line of yellowish markings.

The host plants of its caterpillars are Aristolochia species.

This species can ben found in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.