Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 12,475 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Palamedes Swallowtail: observations by month (U.S.)
About Palamedes Swallowtail
Papilio palamedes, the Palamedes swallowtail or laurel swallowtail, is a North American butterfly in the family Papilionidae.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Palamedes Swallowtail by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 4,668 | September | Mar–Oct |
| North Carolina | 1,985 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Texas | 1,607 | April | Mar–Oct |
| South Carolina | 1,359 | April | Apr–Sep |
| Georgia | 866 | September | Mar–Oct |
| Mississippi | 582 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Virginia | 515 | April | Apr–Sep |
| Louisiana | 451 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Alabama | 424 | September | Jun–Sep |
| Maryland | 14 | July | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Swallowtails and Parnassians)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail
Anise Swallowtail
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Palamedes Swallowtail?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from March to October.
Where is Palamedes Swallowtail most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, North Carolina, Texas.