Schaus swallowtail

 

                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The range of the Schaus swallowtail has declined over the past century and has not been seen on the mainland since 1924. Habitat destruction, mosquito control, and hurricanes have reduced populations in the past. Captive bred individuals have been successfully released into the wild by researchers at the University of Florida to maintain the existence of this magnificent butterfly.

 

 

Schaus swallowtail Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus Schaus (Family: Papilionidae)

Habitat: Tropical hardwood hammocks

Florida range: Upper Keys, including Key Biscayne National Park, Key Largo

Larval host plants: Torchwood Amyris elemifera, Wild Lime Zanthoxylum fagara

Flight: Late April to mid June, some adults fly in late July and early September

Occurrence: Considered rare and listed as endangered in 1984 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Link for more information:  http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1367

 

 

South Florida Rockland

Florida Arthropod Conservation Home