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.
The polydamas swallowtail resting on a zinnia stem. It wasn’t until this year I began planting zinnia flowers by seed. I am so glad I did. This flower is a butterfly magnet and incredibly easy to grow. I have many guest-starters all over the garden from where the seeds flew.
The polydamas swallowtail has had an outstanding week in the butterfly house with 21 total emerging bringing our grand total to 75. The first photo is of its chrysalis right before it emerged.
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.
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.
A favorite nectar flower of this species is the red penta. It’s amazing to watch them take a sip, as their wings never stop flapping. The ones released have been hanging out in the gardens this week!
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.
Another polydamas swallowtail butterfly emerged in our butterfly house today. This one is No. 50. Another amazing release. This one stayed with me for quite some time before it flew away into the trees.
This butterfly can be found throughout peninsular Florida and southern Texas. I have read that the caterpillar season is throughout the year in Florida. I don’t know if the season changed with Hurricane Ian devastating the area last September, but we did not start seeing them in our garden until late May, early June. They have had an incredible year so far since then, with more eggs laid.
