Schaus' Swallowtail
Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus
Schaus' Swallowtail is a rare South Florida butterfly tied to tropical hardwood hammocks in Miami-Dade County and the Keys.
This large butterfly uses tropical hardwood hammocks where torchwood and wild lime support its caterpillars.
Habitat loss, hurricanes, drought, pesticides, and a naturally small range placed the subspecies at serious risk. Intensive recovery work has improved its outlook.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Scrub and Dry Prairie
Area / Range:
South Florida, Florida Keys
Diet:
Caterpillars feed mainly on torchwood and wild lime. Adults drink nectar from native flowering shrubs and trees.
Behavior:
Adults fly through sunlit hammock openings and edges. Females place eggs singly on host plants.
Day
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm daylight in late spring and summer within protected hardwood hammocks.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Federally endangered and restricted to a small part of South Florida and the Florida Keys.
Safety Level:
Low Risk
Safety Information:
Harmless. Observe from a distance and avoid touching adults, caterpillars, eggs, or host plants.
Benefits to Property:
Adults pollinate flowers and support the ecological value of native tropical hammock plantings.
Property Concerns:
No property damage. Pesticides and removal of torchwood or wild lime eliminate critical habitat.
Fun Fact:
Captive breeding and carefully managed releases have strengthened wild populations in protected areas.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and applicable Florida rules. Do not collect, harm, possess, sell, or disturb any life stage.
Identification:
Large black-brown wings carry broad cream-yellow bands and rows of yellow spots. The hindwings have short tails and orange or blue accents near the rear edge.
Credits:
Recovery information: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photos: iNaturalist.