The warmer temperatures in Southwest Florida are becoming more consistent – bringing back many species of butterflies to the garden.
The polydamas swallowtail’s are among them. There are quite a few baby caterpillars crawling on my Dutchman pipevine, and multiple eggs still waiting to hatch!
This little polydamas swallowtail broke away from the pack and went for a solo stroll on my Dutchman pipe. It was strange, as they are usually huddled together at this size.
The polydamas swallowtail population has exploded in the garden! The caterpillars are on the move, crawling everywhere in my front garden. Some on the sidewalk, others on the driveway, or the house. All of them have gone into my new butterfly house where they can create their chrysalis.
Many of the caterpillars have been their chrysalis in the Dutchman pipe plant. Itsbeen fun finding them. They blend in perfectly!
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.
I love, love, love my nightly stroll through the garden. One, because the scorching, awful heat isn’t as bad around the 7’oclock hour, and two, I love spotting the acticity taking place in the garden.
With the almost daily rain, everything is lush and growing really well. I have finally decided to tackle my back butterfly garden again, which is where I found the treasures today. I have my husband on board to help build some trellises for both the Dutchman pipe and the maypop passionvine. My garden will look amazing when those projects become complete.
My Dutchman pipe is crawling with polydamas caterpillars once again on all three plants. How many can you could? I see six all sharing the same part of the vine.
