Palamedes Swallowtail
Papilio palamedes
Palamedes Swallowtail is mostly a species of the Coastal Region where it is common, but it is locally common across the Coastal Plain north to the Fall Line. It is uncommon but regular in the Lower Piedmont counties just north of the Fall Line including Harris, Talbot, Upson, Monroe, northern Bibb, and Spalding. It is rare in the Upper Piedmont where it sometimes strays (Cobb and Fulton counties). The hostplants are red bay (Persea borbonia), which has been documented in all counties of the Coastal Region and also in Upson and Talbot counties just above the Fall Line; sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), which occurs widely in the Coastal Plain and in some counties in the Piedmont, and sassafras (Sassafras albidium), which occurs statewide. There are two broods, with the first brood appearing from late February-March to May and the second brood appearing from mid-July to October. Early Date: February 9 (Charlton County); Late Date: October 21 (Charlton County). Conservation Status: Secure.
