Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,080 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Polydamas Swallowtail: observations by month (U.S.)
About Polydamas Swallowtail
Battus polydamas, also known as the gold rim swallowtail, the Polydamas swallowtail or the tailless swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae, published in 1758.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Polydamas Swallowtail by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,939 | July | Mar–Nov |
| Texas | 129 | November | Apr–Nov |
| California | 7 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Arizona | 5 | August | Aug–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 Polydamas Swallowtail?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from March to November.
Where is Polydamas Swallowtail most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, California.