Polydamus Swallowtail

  • Family name: Papilionidae/Swallowtails
  • General description: tailless; black with broad yellow submarginal spot band and scalloped hindwing margin. Ventral hindwing brownish-black with marginal row of elongated, curved red spots. Abdomen with lateral red stripe.
  • Field Marks: Hindwing lacks tail; wings with broad yellow spot band; abdomen with lateral red stripe

Polydamus Swallowtail larva

  • Sexes: appear similar
  • Wingspan: 75-102 mm
  • Life Cycle: Egg: orange-brown, spherical, laid in clusters on host leaves Mature larva: Brown-black with short fleshy tubercles Chrysalis: brown or green
  • Number of Generations: Two or more generations
  • Flight Season: March-December
  • Abundance: Common
  • Habitat: parks, gardens, disturbed sites, old fields
  • Larval Host Plants: Caligo flower (Aristolochia elegans); other ornamental pipevines (Aristolochia spp.)
  • Similar Species:
  • Additional Information: Adults have strong, rapid flight and continuously flutter wings while feeding. Excellent colonizer.
  • Range in Florida

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