Category Archives: polydamus butterfly

“Special”

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Butterflies and my daughter have been connected since before she was born. It never fails on the important days something memorable always seems to happen. Yesterday, my daughter turned 8 years old and had the opportunity to release, not one, but three polydamas swallowtail butterflies into the garden.

We, always think, butterflies appear when angels are near. Sure enough, my sweet girl said one of the butterflies was someone we recently lost, an amazing woman who was incredibly important to us. It made that moment that much sweeter.

The polydamas swallowtails are having an incredible year in the garden. We have raised and released 135 so far. 

Explosion

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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!

Finally

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The polydamas swallowtail butterfly photographed in midflight. These butterflies tend to be hard for me to photograph when flying because they are so fast. Well, I am happy to say, the action shots are becoming a little easier with my new camera lens!

Check out this beauty flying through the garden. I have never had so many in the garden at once before. Every day there’s at least a half dozen zooming about.

And the cycle continues.

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I have never seen so many polydamas swallowtails in my garden at once until yesterday. There were five fluttering about, one of which was leaving behind a ton of eggs, continuing the amazing cycle of the butterfly.

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.

The eggs can be yellow to orange in color and 1 mm in diameter. As they mature the eggs will turn a greenish color as the larvae develop.

Another success

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The polydamas swallowtail was the first swallowtail to visit my garden and instantly became a favorite. They are so incredibly hard to photograph with their wings open, as they are constantly fluttering. I was beyond excited when this newly emerged polydamas swallowtail showed me its full beauty after releasing it into the garden.

he 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.

This species can be found throughout peninsular Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys. There are some that wander as far north as Missouri and Kentucky.

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.