Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Bahaman Swallowtail
Papilio andraemon (Hübner, [1823])


Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upperside of forewing has yellow bar at end of cell; long tails of hindwing are filled with yellow.
Wing Span: 3 3/4 - 4 inches (96 - 102 cm).
Life History: Females lay single eggs on host plant leaves.
Flight: Three flights April-October. Adults may fly or be swept by hurricanes between islands.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae) Citrus, Ruta, and Zanthoxylum species.
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Sea-level scrub and hammocks.
Range: Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica; rare stray or temporary colonist in Florida Keys or on mainland near Miami.
Conservation: Once listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; since delisted.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Colonies should be protected if located.
Comments: NULL