Palamedes swallowtail

The palamedes swallowtail is a big, dark swallowtail crossed by a band of yellow, a characteristic butterfly of coastal-plain swamps and wet woods in the Southeast.

It sails slowly through shady wetlands and nectars on thistles, pickerelweed, and other blooms.

Caterpillars feed on redbay and other members of the laurel family; the butterfly has declined where laurel wilt disease has killed redbay.