How many swallowtails are there in the USA?

[mothman27]

Can someone tell me all the species and subspecies of swallowtails that live in the USA (regularly). 

Thanks,
Tim

[bobw]

See butterfliesofamerica.com/intro.htm.

[trehopr1]

Hi Tim, I liked your thought provoking question so I will attempt to at least partially answer it. What I do know is that at the "species" level and strictly speaking on the Eastern seaboard only (from the Mississippi River on East); their are a total of 11 recorded species. Of those eleven species 3 of them are seldom if ever encountered by collectors. I will elaborate on these 3 later. The other 8 regularly occurring species are the following: Giant Sw., Tiger Sw., Black Sw., Pipevine Sw., Spicebush Sw., Zebra Sw., Palamedes Sw., and Polydamas Swallowtail.
The other 3 species of notable mention are 1 (protected species); the Schaus Swallowtail which is located in a couple of small locations in the Upper Florida keys. Whilst the remaining 2 are recorded stray species blown in from the Caribbean via storms or strong trade winds. Those two stray species are the Cuban Kite Swallowtail (Protographium celadon) and Bahamian Swallowtail (Papilio andraemon). Both of these stray species are quite rare finds in the Florida keys. I have read that the Bahamian Swallowtail (P. andaemon) is even considered a temporary colonist some years...
Another swallowtail worth mentioning is a relatively recent development these last few years. The Ozark Swallowtail (Papilio joanae). It was once considered a synonym of the black swallowtail. Genetic tests established it as a full species. Personally speaking, it looks to me like any other Black swallowtail I've ever seen here in the East. DNA tests suggest that it is actually more closely related to the Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). So I suppose one could call this species#12 for the Eastern seaboard. It is found in the Ozark Mountains of Appalachia.
In terms of subspecies names I won't dabble in that arena as I am not a specialist on this group. Anything West of the Mississippi River (in species terms) is out of my current knowledge or level of expertise. I am certainly familiar with most of the recognized species however, one or two new ones may have cropped up.
Bear in mind that Texas being as large as it is and Centrally located also sees a small number of Stray swallowtail species. They have been recorded. So anyone giving you a complete listing (as you are requesting); should also include these stray species as well since they have been collected in Texas--- albeit rarely. I know Papilio thoas and Photographium philolaus has shown up there as well as at least one species of Parides!
Hope this helps somewhat.

[trehopr1]

Another, what I will call "break away" species which occurred rather recently (much like Papilio joanae); is Papilio rumiko from out West (northeastern Colorado). To look upon it you would swear it looks like any other Giant Swallowtail that you have ever seen. Yet, DNA analysis has proven it to be a species in it's own right. Unless, you keep your ear to the wind or eyes on the internet one might never hear about these subtle changes in Taxonomy; unless of coarse you are a specialist on the group!

[leptraps]

I have reared all of the eastern Papulio's with the exception of Papilio joanae. I have collected Papilio joanne twice and reared it once. Personal opinion: Papilio polyexense, or else I have not collected it.

I have reared all the resident Papilio's in Florida. I never collected or saw any of the stray West Indies Papilio's.

Now the Rio Grande Valley is an altogether different story.

[mothman27]

Aug 18, 2018 14:49:10 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I have reared all of the eastern Papulio's with the exception of Papilio joanae. I have collected Papilio joanne twice and reared it once. Personal opinion: Papilio polyexense, or else I have not collected it.

Not sure I understand...

[leptraps]

The first time I collected what I was told they were Papilio joanae. However, after I mounted them they looked just like Papilio polyxenes.Three years later I collected several more (Same location) Papilio joanae including several females. I got ova, larvae, pupae and adults. Every stages were just like Papilio polyxenes.

To this day, I still think they are Papilio polyxenes. I beleive I never actually collected Papilio joanae.

However, I saw Papilio joanae in another collection. Looks like Papilio polyxenes to me.

After a lengthy conversation at the McGuire Center, I saw specimens that were Papilio joanae. Unfortunately, they looked like Papilio polyxenes to me. I have seen photographs of Papilio joanae, and yes, there is a difference. I will leave this subject as it is. But I think there is something, I just cannot explain it.

[trehopr1]

After reading Leptraps comments I think it is fair to say that is why I mentioned Papilio joanae as an after thought (species#12) in my above post. I also further referred to it as being a "break away" species; meaning that it has taxonomically broken away from another species long established and understood by all. Quite honestly, if this newbie species consistently showed an easily recognizable difference from polyxenes (across the board); than I and others would be more accepting of it's full species status However, whatever hair splitting details are being looked at or what some people think they see as a difference is just not so obvious to us all. Whatever mitochondrial DNA evidence may prove just does not seem to translate in terms of visually seeing, capturing, examining, and cross comparing joane vs. polyxenes.
This is exactly why I dared not to get involved in any subspecies names as these too can get convoluted at times when differences are slight and opinions run high.
To support this comment, I mention Papilio glaucus appalachiensis. Here's a subspecies which I'd never heard of until maybe 10 years ago. There has always been the nominate (glaucus) named by Linnaeus. In time, subspecies canadensis was recognized (the little Tiger of our Northern border states + Canada), then subspecies maynardi of Florida and So. Georgia came along (our super-sized glaucus), and then subspecies garcia of South Texas popped up on the radar. As if a nominate and (count them) 3 other subspecies was not enough; some "splitter" decides the mountains of Appalachia somehow have their own subspecies (version) of glaucus --- or at least deserve one.
Now, can anyone actually tell some defining (across the board) difference between nominate glaucus vs. appalachiensis? I know I sure cannot see any decernable difference and I have seen both as specimens in collections.
And now, I believe canadensis is no longer considered a subspecies of glaucus but, is an independent species unto itself. Someone clarify this for me if I am wrong !
So you see Tim, why I did not make mention of subspecies and pretty much stick to long established species and strays known by the greater body of lepidopterists.

[rayrard]

Aug 18, 2018 16:21:02 GMT -8 mothman27 said:

Aug 18, 2018 14:49:10 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I have reared all of the eastern Papulio's with the exception of Papilio joanae. I have collected Papilio joanne twice and reared it once. Personal opinion: Papilio polyexense, or else I have not collected it.

Not sure I understand...

leptraps, have you encountered polydamas at Archbold Station? I have been there with the Yale class since 2013 and never saw a Polydamas anywhere. I saw Tiger, Spicebush (worn), Giant, Palamedes, Black, and Zebra while there. I assume it is out of brood in October, along with Pipevine which I also never saw there but must live there. We have been around to different areas in the Highlands and coastal plain but never saw one.

As to the topic, I have appalachiensis and the males are very large compared to glaucus flying at the same time. I have seen both at puddles. Canadensis is also quite noticeable where they fly alone in the high altitudes of the northeast. They are very straw yellow compared to glaucus. I think appalachiensis is closest to canadensis in color but they are different in size. Probably is overlap where they hybridize and meet at the boundaries of their range.

[leptraps]

I only collected one adult Battus polydamus at Archbold Biological Station and it was a male! However, the host plant Aristolochia, a vine grew all around the Station. I found 20+ larvae and took them home to Coral Springs, Florida where I lived at the time. Besides several Zip Lock bags full of host plant, I dug up several plants at Archbold and transplanted them in my yard (There is another whole story and a half about that.). Over the next several years I found hundreds of larvae on the vines and have a very nice series in my collection. I only saw two or three adults in my yard and they were females laying eggs.

I worked near Homestead, Florida and about every time I would find Aristolochia vines, I would find Polydamus larvae. The only time I ever saw numerous adults was at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Dade County, Florida. Fairchild Gardens had huge collection of Aristolochia vines growing on Pergola's.

I acquired numerous species of Aristolochia vines. Battus polydamus are strong fliers.

During the 2016 Southern Lepidopterists Society Meeting in Gainesville, Florida, I found Aristolochia vines growing in the trees at the back of the parking lot of the La Quinta Motel. There were polydamus larva present.

[leptraps]

I have my own opinion on Papilio appalachensis. I have made no attempt to rear them. However, I have never seem a dark female either.

Also, for all of you Canadians to the north, does Papilio canadensis have a dark female?

I think some serious DNA work is required for both Papilio joanae, Papilio appalachensis and Papilio canadensis.

[mothman27]

I did some research a few months ago on the tiger swallowtails. 
To answer your questions:
P. canadensis - No dark form females
P. rutulus - No dark form females
P. appalachiensis - dark form females very rare. I happen to have one in my collection
Here she is:

West Virginia
Coll. Richard Hesterberg

[Paul K]

Tim is correct, P.canadensis does not have dark female forms.
B.philenor doesn't not occur as far north as the range of P.canadensis therefor there are no dark females.
Also P.glaucus in its very north range does not have dark females.

Paul

[rayrard]

Aug 19, 2018 3:48:29 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I only collected one adult Battus polydamus at Archbold Biological Station and it was a male! However, the host plant Aristolochia, a vine grew all around the Station. I found 20+ larvae and took them home to Coral Springs, Florida where I lived at the time. Besides several Zip Lock bags full of host plant, I dug up several plants at Archbold and transplanted them in my yard (There is another whole story and a half about that.). Over the next several years I found hundreds of larvae on the vines and have a very nice series in my collection. I only saw two or three adults in my yard and they were females laying eggs.

I worked near Homestead, Florida and about every time I would find Aristolochia vines, I would find Polydamus larvae. The only time I ever saw numerous adults was at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Dade County, Florida. Fairchild Gardens had huge collection of Aristolochia vines growing on Pergola's.

I acquired numerous species of Aristolochia vines. Battus polydamus are strong fliers.

During the 2016 Southern Lepidopterists Society Meeting in Gainesville, Florida, I found Aristolochia vines growing in the trees at the back of the parking lot of the La Quinta Motel. There were polydamus larva present.

What time of year was your adult caught? I may have to check for larvae this year. I see a lot of the vines along the rail fences.

I always wondered why no one in all these years came across an adult in the field course. They would be quite obviously different from all the other swallowtail types

[rayrard]

Aug 19, 2018 4:00:27 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I have my own opinion on Papilio appalachensis. I have made no attempt to rear them. However, I have never seem a dark female either.

Also, for all of you Canadians to the north, does Papilio canadensis have a dark female?

I think some serious DNA work is required for both Papilio joanae, Papilio appalachensis and Papilio canadensis.

I think the DNA work was done and appalachiensis is a hybrid species from the crossing of male canadensis with female glaucus (or reversed?) and subsequent breeding of these hybrids in the contact zone forming a more fit hybrid (hybrid vigor?) combining traits of both species. It supposedly lacks a dark female like canadensis. The DNA found that canadensis was closer to P. rutulus than glaucus and may have been a cross-Canada migrant to the northern East Coast responding to the retreat and advance of glaciers. Apparently canadensis was an isolated population of rutulus during glaciations. All of the tiger swallowtails have a fairly recent origin in the range of hundreds of thousands of years so they maintain the ability to hybridize like other species pairs with recent origins.

It's one of those "where do you draw the line and call it a species" arguments. I am not a supporter of subspecies so if it is distinctive enough and forms a clade just give it it's own name or just keep it all lumped into one species.