As a caterpillar, it feeds primarily on redbay (Persea borbonia) and other plants of the Laurel family. As an adult it eats nectar from flowers of the sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azaleas. The Palamedes Swallowtail lives in wet woods near rivers and broadleaf evergreen swamp forests. Their geographic locations range from Southern New Jersey (rare) to Florida, as well as west and south along the Gulf Coast to central Mexico.
Palamedes Swallowtails are a commonly observed butterfly in the coastal regions of the southeastern US. They can be distinguished from other swallowtails by their large size and coloration. The male swallowtails are smaller than the females and typically have a bright coloration, while the females are usually chocolate brown.
Female Palamedes Swallowtails typically lay their eggs underneath the leaves of their host plants. The larvae have a unique color pattern, being brownish-black with a white "saddle" which makes them resemble bird droppings. This provides protection for the larvae from predation. As larvae mature and become larger their color changes to green dorsally (on top) with a reddish-brown underside. The thorax of the caterpillar gets bigger and has two false eyespots. These eyespots make the head of the caterpillar look like a snake or lizard.
As larvae, the Palamedes Swallowtail is considered by some as a pest since it feeds on ornamental redbay and other related plants. However, as adults, these butterflies are beneficial to aesthetic gardeners who plant gardens for the sole purpose of attracting butterflies.
Crystal Junious-Green & Harskin Hayes Jr.
Insect Biology & Diversity (ENT 301 / BIOSC 301)
Fall 2005
