Palamedes Swallowtail
Papilio palamedes
33.3361, -81.8426
Field Notes
Description:
The palamedes swallowtail is a large, dark swallowtail butterfly marked with yellow spots and bands. The wingspread range is 4.8 to 6.3 cm. The upper surface of the wings is black with yellow markings. The front wing has a double row of yellow spots on the distal one third. The hind wing has a marginal row of yellow spots and a submarginal yellow band. The tails may have a yellow stripe down the middle.
Habitat:
The palamedes swallowtail is found in the coastal plains of the southeastern states from Virginia to Louisiana. Strays have been found in Cuba and as far north as Nebraska and New York. It is particularly common in and near swampy woods. This one was feeding on Common Buttonbush at Silver Bluff Audubon Center near Jackson (Aiken County), SC.
Notes:
The host plants are primarily species of Persea (Lauraceae) (particularly redbay, Persea borbonia (L.) and swampbay, Persea palustris.
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