Species Page: Palamedes Swallowtail (Pterourus palamedes)

Family: Papilionidae

Status: Very rare stray

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Range: This swallowtail is a resident in the gulf coast states from eastern Texas to North Carolina. On rare occasions it strays quite some distance. Records from eastern New Mexico, eastern Nebraska and southern New York represent the most far-flung destinations of these excursions.

Larval Hostplant(s): Ornamentals – Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin) and Sassafras (Sassafras species) – represent to only possible hostplants for this species in the state.

Broods/Flight Times: Multiple flights through most of the year in the heart of its home range (Florida).

Overwintering: Overwintering in our area is not possible.

Habitat: In its home range the Palamedes Swallowtail is found in and around swampy woods. As a stray in Nebraska it could occur anywhere.

Avg. Wingspan: 4 1/2 – 5 1/8 inches

Found at:

Similar Species: None.

Notes: There are three eastern Nebraska records from the early 1900’s and a later record from Brown County.