Determination of the Distribution of the Schaus' Swallowtail Throughout its Historic Range and Suitability of its Remaining Habitat for Recovery of the Species
Horvitz C and Jameson A. 1999. Determination of the Distribution of the Schaus' Swallowtail Throughout its Historic Range and Suitability of its Remaining Habitat for Recovery of the Species
A Second Progress Report submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Schaus swallowtail is a subspecies of Heraclides (Papilio) aristodemus Esper, the dusky swallowtail ofthe greater Antilles (Smith et al, 1994). The Schaus swallowtail is commonly believed to be endemic to Florida. However, according to The Butterflies of the West Indies and South Florida published in 1994, the Schaus Swallowtail Heraclides (Papilio) arisiodemus ponceanus Schaus (driophilus Clench, TL: Cat Isl., Bahamas) is also present in the Bahamas on Cat, New Providence and Andros. The butterfly's habitat is tropical hardwood hammocks. Most adults remain close to their natal location, although some have been recorded as far as 3.5 miles away (Emmell 995a,b). The adult lifespan is usually 3-4 days with a maximum recorded at 22 days. The flight season is usually in May but has been recorded as early as March 31 and as late as September 25. The Schaus swallowtail butterfly, Heraclides (=Papilio) aristodemus ponceanus, has been listed federally as an endangered species since 1984.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Horvitz, Carol; Jameson, Annemarie
- Date of Issue
- 1999-08-01
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Conservation, Endangered Species, hardwood hammocks, Monroe County, univoltine