Google “swallowtail butterfly” and you’re likely to see an article or two that states swallowtails get their name from the tail-like extensions on the back edge of their wings.  So, just to confuse you, one of our butterflies of the month is the Polydamas swallowtail (Battus polydamas). Despite its name, the Polydamas swallowtail lacks tails giving it one of its common names of tailless swallowtail. It is the only swallowtail in North America that does not have tails in the swallowtail butterfly family Papilionidae. Although many swallowtails lose their tails to predators, they have them upon emergence from chrysalis. This large, brownish-black butterfly has a wingspan of 3 ½ - 4 ¾” with a band of large yellow spots across the hind wings. This band of yellow spots also gives this butterfly yet another common name of Gold Rim swallowtail. (see photo 1) The undersides of the forewings also have yellow spots and the hindwings have a row of red lunules. The abdomen also has rows of red spots, which is a significant difference from the other swallowtails in the Tampa Bay area. Polydamas are fast flyers and when nectaring they continue to rapidly flap their wings without landing on a flower. This butterfly flies 10 months of the year in the South Tampa area from my experience as we are in zone 10A. They will over winter in chrysalis December and January, if we have a cold enough winter. They are very easy to attract to gardens if you plant Pipevine plants (Aristolochia species). While this swallowtail can use the non-native pipevines as a host plant to lay its eggs for its caterpillars to eat, the Pipevine swallowtail cannot use non-native pipevines as it is too toxic for its caterpillars.

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa), a long-lived Florida native perennial, grows to about 20-30 feet. It is slow to establish and a slow grower in our area until it is about 3 years in the ground. This vine has very unusual flowers which resemble a smoking pipe. With 4-8” heart-shaped leaves, Victorian gardeners in the southern United States frequently used these plants to shade porches and other outdoor areas. It will do well in pots with a trellis in a partial shady area also. The plant is important for two of our native swallowtails, our butterflies of the month, the Polydamas and Pipevine Swallowtails. The Pipevine caterpillars can only feed on Aristolochia native plants. But please avoid planting Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe, aka Giant Pelican Flower, aka Giant Dutchman’s Pipe Aristolochia gigantea. Pipevine Swallowtails will mistakenly lay eggs on this Brazilian native. Unfortunately, the plant is fatally toxic to early instar Pipevine swallowtail caterpillars. While the Polydamas swallowtail can handle the toxicity of the Aristolochia gigantea, the Pipevine swallowtail cannot. Another one to avoid is Aristolochia elegans (Elegant Dutchman’s Pipe or Calico flower) a category II invasive to Florida – even though both Pipevine swallowtail and Polydamas can use it as a host plant. Unfortunately plants in the nursery trade do not come with labels that say “this species kill butterfly larvae” or “this species is invasive to Florida.”

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipevine was historically found along streams and moist woods in its native range in the southeastern and south-central United States. Listed as a Zone 5-8b perennial, this plant does best in our Tampa gardens with filtered sun or light shade. It’s important to keep the soil moist with watering twice a week to mimic its natural habitat.

Please note: all parts of this plant are toxic when ingested, so please avoid planting where children or pets might accidentally ingest it.

Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) is a long-lived woody and robust perennial. It is a fast grower, climbing to approximately 30-60 feet tall and spread 5-10 feet. It has a couple other common names - cow itch vine and hummingbird vine. It produces clusters of showy, orange/scarlet trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom year-round with its prettiest booms in spring and summer. Its fruit resembles a long brown bean capsule containing several seeds. It grows best in full sun and will produce more blooms in a sunny location as compared to partial shade. Trumpet Creeper prefers medium moisture in sandy or clay soils. Best not to plant this vine where it can attach with aerial rootlets that have adhesive disks allowing it to adhere to wood, brick, and stucco as it can damage these surfaces. It's best to grow on a trellis, trees, fences, arbors or another sturdy structure to support its weight as the plant matures and can be controlled. Its rapid growth makes training the vine easy with regular pruning as it grows. It can also be used as an attractive ground cover, grown in a container where it will hang down over the side of the pots or hanging baskets. This is a very attractive plant to hummingbirds and other pollinators. It serves as a host plant for the Plebeian sphinx moth (Paratraea plebaja).

Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) is an attractive long-lived perennial in the mint family with lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late winter to late spring (see photo 11). It is a highly adaptable plant that can tolerate drought and flooding during the rainy season. The foliage has nice green leaves with purple/reddish/burgundy coloring in the midribs of the leaves. (see photo 12). It is found along woodland edges, open areas, disturbed sites, and landscapes. It may grow to 1 to 2' feet in moist to dry well-drained soils. It tolerates full sun to partial shade and Florida's heat and humidity. It can prolifically seed and works in gardens and meadow settings. It can also be used with a mix of ground covers and will tolerate mowing. Its tubular flowers are pollinated by bees but very attractive to our butterflies of the month, hummingbirds, skippers, and other pollinators.

Salvia lyrata is a medicinal and edible herb. Young Lyreleaf sage leaves have a slightly minty flavor, which adds an interesting, subtle flavor to salads or hot dishes. The entire plant, including the blooms, can be dried and brewed into tea. Often flavored with a bit of honey, the tea (sometimes used as a gargle) may soothe coughs, colds, and sore throats.

It is moderately resistant to deer.

Pair it with Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), and Blue Curls (Trichostema dichotomum) for a garden sure to attract our native pollinators.

Register while spots are available!  Summer is here and it’s time to get excited about nature. Spend this summer discovering the tiny world of bugs! Buzz with the bees, get silly with snakes and leap with the lizards before school starts again. Campers will discover nature and wildlife while learning to care for our environment. Every child will get an opportunity to release a butterfly by the end of the camp (weather permitting).  

Don't delay – space is limited!

Join Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation and NABA Tampa Bay on a butterfly walk at Picnic Island. This is a new location that may be part of the North American Butterfly Association count circles for Tampa Bay. Come join us to help monitoring populations of butterflies in this beautiful park. This will be free for NABA members. Non-NABA members fee: $5. Please bring payment morning of event. This event is subject to change due to weather.

Join Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation and NABA Tampa Bay on a butterfly walk at Violet Cury Preserve in Lutz. Come join us to help monitoring populations of butterflies in this beautiful park. This will be free for NABA members. Non-NABA members fee: $5. Please bring payment morning of event. This event is subject to change due to weather.