# Palamedes Swallowtail (*Papilio palamedes*) The Palamedes Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with big, colorful wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen near water. Its bright colors make it a special sight in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Palamedes Butterfly ![Palamedes Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Papilio_palamedes.jpg&width=800) Photo: leppyone (Vincent P. Lucas), CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_palamedes.jpg) ## Appearance The Palamedes Swallowtail has striking black wings adorned with two distinct rows of bright yellow spots. Its hindwings feature a single, prominent tail-like projection, distinguishing it from other swallowtails in its range. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are picky eaters, only munching on leaves from a few special trees. - These butterflies love to gather around muddy puddles to drink salty minerals. - They are named after Palamedes, a clever hero from ancient Greek myths! - Unlike many butterflies, Palamedes Swallowtails prefer to fly in swampy, wet forests. ## Special abilities - **Stink Defense:** Palamedes Swallowtail larvae can shoot out a smelly, orange organ (osmeterium) that helps them scare away hungry predators. - **Leafy Disguise:** The young Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar has camouflage, looking like bird droppings to hide from birds looking for a meal. - **Swift Flight:** Palamedes Swallowtails have powerful wings that allow for fast, erratic flight, helping them escape from dangers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 100-130 mm - **Size:** 35-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet flower nectar; young caterpillars munch on tree leaves! - **Age differences:** Larvae consume leaves from specific host trees, while adults feed exclusively on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Red Bay leaves, Sweetbay Magnolia leaves, Sassafras leaves, Thistle flowers, Buttonbush flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Red Bay (*Persea borbonia*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Sweetbay Magnolia](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sweetbay-magnolia) (*Magnolia virginiana*) — Host plant for the larval stage. - **Pollinates:** [Buttonbush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/buttonbush) (*Cephalanthus occidentalis*) — Adults drink nectar and help pollinate. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds are common predators of butterflies. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Palamedes Swallowtail? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Palamedes Swallowtail's wingspan? 100-130 mm ### How big is Palamedes Swallowtail? 35-45 mm ### How long does Palamedes Swallowtail live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Palamedes Swallowtail fly? 20 km/h ### What does Palamedes Swallowtail eat? Adults sip sweet flower nectar; young caterpillars munch on tree leaves! ### Where is Palamedes Swallowtail usually found? Wetlands ### How does Palamedes Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve - [Brantley Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brantley-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Bellingrath Gardens and Home](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellingrath-gardens-and-home) — Alabama, US · Botanical Garden - [Causeyville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/causeyville-historic-district) — Mississippi, US · Historic District - [City of Camden Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-of-camden-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Marineland of Florida](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marineland-of-florida-florida) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Palamedes Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/palamedes-swallowtail) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Palamedes Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/palamedes-swallowtail)