Polydamas Swallowtail
Battus polydamas (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Lacks tails. Black above with submarginal yellow band.
Wing Span: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (9 - 12 cm).
Life History: Female lays eggs in groups of 10-14 on exposed new stems or growing tips of vines. Caterpillars feed in groups when young. Overwinter as chrysalids.
Flight: Two-3 flights from April-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Pipevines (Aristolochia species).
Adult Food: Nectar of lantana. Occasionally seen feeding on honeysuckle and soapweed flowers.
Habitat: Open woods, abandoned fields, disturbed areas.
Range: South Texas and peninsular Florida south to Argentina. Strays north to Kentucky and Missouri.
Conservation: None noted.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Manage habitat for caterpillar host plant and nectar sources.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 299 verified sightings
Observation date: Nov 03, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 13, 2024
Observation date: Nov 09, 2024
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 09, 2024
Observation date: Oct 26, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 04, 2024
Observation date: Oct 22, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Oct 23, 2024
Observation date: Sep 20, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Oct 21, 2024
Observation date: Oct 03, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Oct 19, 2024
Observation date: Sep 10, 2024
Submitted by: katherinethegreat1
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 16, 2024
Observation date: Sep 01, 2024
Submitted by: Hbrown1029
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 01, 2024
Observation date: Aug 17, 2024
Submitted by: Zengolfer944
Region: Duval County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 20, 2024
Observation date: Aug 03, 2024
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 25, 2024
Submitted by: Zengolfer944
Region: Duval County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 29, 2024
Observation date: Jul 26, 2024
Submitted by: Legomom13
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 29, 2024
Observation date: Jun 28, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jul 27, 2024
Observation date: Jun 24, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jul 27, 2024
Observation date: Jun 21, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jul 27, 2024
Observation date: Jun 29, 2024
Submitted by: Rantuanett
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 29, 2024
Observation date: Jun 21, 2024
Submitted by: Rantuanett
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 18, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jun 19, 2024
Observation date: Jun 12, 2024
Submitted by: kericson
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 12, 2024
Observation date: May 18, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: May 30, 2024
Observation date: May 27, 2024
Submitted by: Rantuanett
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2024
Observation date: May 25, 2024
Submitted by: Rantuanett
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2024
Observation date: May 23, 2024
Submitted by: pegreinhart
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2024
Observation date: May 14, 2024
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: May 14, 2024
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