Palamedes Swallowtail vs Sallow

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Palamedes Swallowtail Sallow
Scientific Name Papilio palamedes Xanthia icteritia
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Noctuidae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 30-36 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Hedgerows
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Southeastern United States coastal plain Europe
Conservation Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k Least Concern

Palamedes Swallowtail

A large dark swallowtail of southern swamp forests with yellow bands and a distinctive yellow postmedial stripe on the hindwing underside. It has a slow, sailing flight through the forest understory.

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Did You Know?

The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.

Sallow

A pretty golden-yellow moth found in autumn, associated with sallow trees. Adults can be attracted to sugar or wine rope. Larvae feed on sallow catkins before descending to feed on low plants.

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Did You Know?

Larvae begin life eating sallow catkins high in trees, then descend to complete development on ground-level plants.