The polydamas, also known as the gold rim swallowtail, tailless swallowtail and scientific name Battus polydamas lucayus, lays its eggs on the Dutchman pipe. This is the only swallowtail that lacks the tails at the base of the secondary wings, according to the University of Florida.
The polydamas swallowtail’s wings range from 9.2 to 11.6 centimeters.
The female is larger than the males. According to the University of Florida, the males have scent scales, which are hidden on the fold of the inner margin of the upper surface of the hind legs. The scales are “fluted,” releasing pheromones easier. When the mating dance begins, the male will helicopter around the female, all while fanning those chemicals over them.
The polydamas lays yellow to orange eggs in clusters of 10 to 14, which can typically be spotted on newly developed stems, or growing tips, of the Dutchman pipe. The butterfly tends to lay its eggs on the Dutchman pipe that are in sunny areas, although the caterpillars have a higher survival rate in the shade.
It takes four to six days to hatch. Once they emerge from their egg, they consume it before going onto the leaves of the plant.
The polydamas swallowtails, as I have stated in previous posts, are having an amazing year in the garden. I have never seen so many flutter about sipping both nectar and laying eggs. I have its host plant in both the front garden and the back garden, so we have caterpillar galore and butterflies in every direction that you peek out the window. It is always exciting for me to be able to capture so many photographs of this beauty as their wings never stop flapping and they are fast flyers. The entire time she was laying eggs her wings were flapping. It’s amazing to see. If you look closely you can see the brownish eggs.
