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 169 - 192 of 318 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 16, 2017
Submitted by: Christine Mooney
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 31, 2017
Observation date: Aug 16, 2017
Submitted by: katrohrer
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 19, 2017
Observation date: Aug 16, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 16, 2017
Observation date: Jul 26, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Jul 19, 2017
Submitted by: Eklaur
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Jun 28, 2017
Submitted by: Eklaur
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Aug 02, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Aug 09, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Jul 08, 2017
Submitted by: NicholleM
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 12, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 17, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 01, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 01, 2017
Observation date: Jun 18, 2017
Submitted by: Lrsewell
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 21, 2017
Submitted by: Christinah
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2017
Observation date: Aug 17, 2016
Submitted by: geraldswegner
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: geraldswegner
Verified date: Feb 23, 2017
Observation date: Feb 04, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 15, 2017
Observation date: Nov 05, 2016
Submitted by: jgiroux
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 12, 2016
Observation date: Jul 24, 2016
Submitted by: jakester322
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 24, 2016
Observation date: Jul 05, 2016
Submitted by: jakester322
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 24, 2016
Observation date: Jun 26, 2016
Submitted by: totonka
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 19, 2016
Observation date: May 23, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2016
Observation date: Nov 21, 2015
Submitted by: Sue Allie
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 31, 2015
Observation date: Nov 27, 2015
Submitted by: Eric Olson
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 03, 2015
Observation date: Aug 18, 2015
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 21, 2015
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