Palamedes Swallowtail
Papilio palamedes Drury, 1773
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of hind- and forewings with postmedian yellow bands; tails are filled with yellow. Lower surface of hindwing with thin yellow basal stripe and postmedian band of yellow-orange crescents.
Wing Span: 4 1/2 - 5 1/8 inches (11.4 - 13 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Two flights, March-December in North; partial 3rd flight in South.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants of the Laurel family (Lauraceae) especially redbay (Persea borbonia).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers of sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azalea.
Habitat: Wet woods near rivers and broadleaf evergreen swamp forests.
Range: Along Atlantic coast from southern New Jersey (rare) to Florida; west and south along Gulf Coast to central Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1512 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 18, 2025
Submitted by: aturney
Region: Texas, Polk County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 01, 2025
Observation date: Sep 13, 2025
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Sep 15, 2025
Observation date: Aug 26, 2025
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 27, 2025
Observation date: Aug 16, 2025
Submitted by: KShell
Region: Dixie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 17, 2025
Observation date: Aug 12, 2025
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Dare County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 13, 2025
Observation date: Aug 03, 2025
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Jasper County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 05, 2025
Observation date: Jul 27, 2025
Submitted by: cfield
Region: Aiken County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 28, 2025
Observation date: May 16, 2025
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: McIntosh County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jul 20, 2025
Observation date: Jul 14, 2017
Submitted by: Rob Williams
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 16, 2025
Observation date: Jul 07, 2025
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 08, 2025
Observation date: Jun 29, 2025
Submitted by: NatureWalks79
Region: Liberty County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jul 04, 2025
Observation date: Sep 04, 2018
Submitted by: bentert
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 12, 2025
Observation date: Apr 23, 2025
Submitted by: hockeybruce7
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 28, 2025
Observation date: Apr 08, 2025
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: Richland County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 10, 2025
Observation date: Mar 15, 2025
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Texas, San Jacinto County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Mar 20, 2025
Observation date: Mar 01, 2022
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Osceola County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 17, 2024
Observation date: Aug 17, 2024
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Dare County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 20, 2024
Observation date: Aug 14, 2024
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Dare County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 15, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: tjunderwood
Region: Robeson County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 15, 2024
Observation date: Aug 15, 2022
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 12, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: neflodonata
Region: Levy County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2024
Observation date: Sep 15, 2023
Submitted by: Chip Gilbert
Region: Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: May 17, 2024
Observation date: Apr 26, 2024
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Hardin County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 12, 2024
Observation date: May 09, 2021
Submitted by: tiki33wv
Region: Dare County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 05, 2024
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