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Schaus Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus)

The Schaus Swallowtail is a species of medium-size butterflies found in a very limited area in the United States. Often confused for the giant swallowtail butterfly (which is much larger than them), the population of this arthropod is declining rapidly, with the NatureServe conservation status system enlisting them under their At risk – G3 group.

Scientific Classification

Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Common names: Schaus' Swallowtail, Island Swallowtail
Scientific Name: Papilio aristodemus

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The full-grown caterpillars are dark to chocolate brown with yellow and cream lateral marks and patches. There is also a continuous white patch at the posterior end along with a few longitudinal rows of spots in blue. As an adaptation, the patches resemble the droppings of lizards and birds, which is a kind of camouflage to avoid the eyes of the predators.

Pupa

The pupae are also brown with patterns that resemble a bark. During this stage, a pupa stays attached and hanging from a twig or branch with the help of a silken pad.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Vaguely present

Color and Appearance: The sexes look similar except that, the tiny tips of the antennae in the male are yellow. Also, the males are smaller than the females. When the wings are open, their dorsal sides look brown, decorated with a series of yellow submarginal spots and a broad yellow median band. Tails are present in the secondary wings having yellow outlines. When the wings are closed, the undersides look yellow with marks in brown marked with a wide median band in rust and blue.

Average wingspan: 3¼ by 3¾ inches (82 by 95 mm)

Flight pattern: Medium

Eggs

Light to dark green in color and are spherical. They are laid singly both on top and underneath the leaf surfaces.

Quick Facts
Distribution	Southern parts of Florida with subspecies occurring in Hispaniola, Cuba, and the Bahamas
Habitat	In the hardwood hammocks where there is no direct sunlight (but instead forms a dappling effect)
Lifespan of adults	1 month
Host plants	Plants belonging to the citrus family (Rutaceae) including Citrus species, hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata), Zanthoxylum spp., and torchwood (Amyris elemifera)
Adult diet	Nectar from flowers of guava, wild coffee, and cheese-shrub

Did You Know?

The males are highly territorial and keep their area free from other males while chasing the females during the mating season at the height of up to 10 feet.
The arthropod gets its name in honor of the American etymologist William Schaus.