Palamedes Swallowtail
Papilio palamedes
Size:
Wingspan is 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches.
Similar Species:
Giant
Swallowtail
Habitat:
Southern swamps and adjacent open areas.
Range/Abundance:
Common
to abundant in the coastal plain. Typically it`s found east of I-95 in
NC, SC and southeastern VA. Not found in WV.
Flight Period:
Adults fly from late March until mid October in two broods with no gap
between broods.
Larval Host Plants:
Red Bay Persea borbonica, Sweet Bay Magnolia virginia
and Sassafras Sassafras albidum.
Comments:
This swallowtail is much browner than black making it easier to identify
from the other "black" swallowtails.
Look for this species in southern swamps and wetlands
with Red Bay Persea borbonica.
I have seen these swallowtails in huge numbers (600+) in the Dare
Bombing Range in eastern NC during September.
The top photo was taken in in the Sandhills Gamelands in Scotland Co.,
NC on April 20, 2003. The second photo was taken in the Sandhills Gamelands
in NC during a CBS field trip there in 1999. The third photo was taken
in coastal VA during September of 1994. The bottom photo was taken at
Croatan NF in Carteret Co., NC on April 4, 2003.
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