The Bahamian Swallowtail (Papilio andraemon), a member of the Giant Swallowtail Group, occurs in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and (at least sporadically) in extreme southern Florida. Larvae feed on plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae). (Opler 1992; Brock and Kaufman 2003; Cech and Tudor 2005)
The primary distribution of the Bahamian Swallowtail is in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica. Historically, there have been rare strays or temporary populations found in the Florida Keys and on the mainland near Miami (Opler 1992). This species (specifically, the bonhotei race, from the Bahamas), which was first noted in the United States in the 1970s, may be naturally present at very low densities on the Upper Keys, especially Key Largo and the islands of Biscayne National Park (Cech and Tudor 2005). Interestingly, this butterfly was first reported from Jamaica only in 1945 and some authors have speculated that it was transported to Jamaica from Cuba by hurricane winds in 1944 (Lawrence 1972 and references therein).
When found in Florida, the Bahamian Swallowtail occurs in tropical hardwood hammocks and scrub at sea level (Opler 1992).
Host plants of the Bahamian Swallowtail include Torchwood (Amyris) and other native and exotic members of the citrus family (Rutaceae), such as Citrus, Ruta, and Zanthoxylum (Opler and Krizek 1984; Brock and Kaufman 2003). Hostplant and habitat use are similar to that of Schaus' Swallowtail (Cech and Tudor 2005).
The Bahamian Swallowtail was listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1976. This butterfly was de-listed in 1984, however, based on the determination that it was not a permanent resident of the United States and was not distinct from Papilio andraemon bonhotei of the Bahamas. (Federal Register, 49 FR 34501-34504)
In the Bahamas, the Bahamian Swallowtail flies from at least April to October and probably has at least three generations per year (Opler and Krizek 1984).
In southern Florida, the Bahamian Swallowtail is most easily distinguished from the Giant and Schaus' Swallowtails by its short yellow bar near the end of the forewing cell (above) and by a single long, rectangular chestnut colored mark on the underside of the hindwing (this chestnut is far less extensive than in Schaus' Swallowtail). As in the Giant Swallowtail (but not Schaus'), the hindwing tails of the Bahamian Swallowtail have yellow centers. As in Schaus' Swallowtail (but not the Giant), Bahamian Swallowtail males have yellow antennal clubs. (Brock and Kaufman 2003; Cech and Tudor 2005)
The caterpillar of the Bahamian Swallowtail is dark olive or black with white saddle marks on the front and tail ends. There are two rows of blue spots along the back and the prolegs (the fleshy leg-like structures at the front end of a caterpillar) and underside of the caterpillar are lilac. (Opler 1992)
Wingspan of the Bahamian Swallowtail is 96 to 106 mm (Opler 1992).
Papilio andraemon, the Bahaman swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly of the subfamily Papilioninae. It is found on the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It is a rare stray or temporary colonist of the Florida Keys or the mainland near Miami.
The wingspan is 96–102 millimetres (3.8–4.0 in). Adults are on wing from April to October (December in Jamaica) in three generations per year.
The larvae feed on various species in the family Rutaceae, including Citrus, Ruta and Zanthoxylum species.
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In flight Papilio andraemon, the Bahaman swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly of the subfamily Papilioninae. It is found on the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It is a rare stray or temporary colonist of the Florida Keys or the mainland near Miami.
The wingspan is 96–102 millimetres (3.8–4.0 in). Adults are on wing from April to October (December in Jamaica) in three generations per year.
The larvae feed on various species in the family Rutaceae, including Citrus, Ruta and Zanthoxylum species.
