"A Greek Of The Trojan War" "A Knight Of King Arthurs Round Table"

Interestingly enough experts are not quite sure where the palamedes swallowtail, Papilio palamedes, gets its name. There are at least two figures named Palamedes in mythologies, one Greek (the Trojan War), the other from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. To our limited knowledge, neither did anything to inspire the name of a butterfly.

 

Be that as it may, the palamedes swallowtail butterfly is commonly found in Florida, particularly near wet woods and swamps. It ranges along the Gulf/Atlantic coastal plain from Central Mexico to Virginia. It's been known to stray as far north as New York, as far west as Nebraska and as far south as Cuba, apparently unaware of the embargo.

 

It's a fairly large butterfly, with a wingspan that can exceed five inches. It is mostly black, with prominent yellow bands and spots. It also has some blue spots on the tail.

 

Up north, the palmedes swallowtail produces several generations, or flights, between May and September; in Florida, it's breeding season extends between March and December.

 

Members of the laurel family, particularly bays, are hosts plants for the palamedes swallowtail. Red bay is a favorite; sweet bay, not so much. Sweet bay is listed as a host, but in experiments, University of Florida researchers noted that palmedes swallowtail caterpillars won't touch the stuff.

 

Adult palamedes swallowtails have a more varied diet, nectaring on thistles, blue flag and other flowers.

 

The palamedes swallowtail butterfly is a member of papilionidae, the swallowtail family.

 

I found these two enjoying the nectar of a Thistle at the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County, Florida.

Done