It's probably just a giant swallowtail, but the pale color of the abdomen makes me wonder if it could possibly be a Schaus swallowtail, an endangered species of south Florida that looks VERY much like a giant swallowtail. Nah, it's just a giant swallowtail, but I wish you had a picture of the underside of the butterfly. I guess the shape of yours makes me wonder, too.

Sherry

Thank you Sherry. Give me a moment and I will upload the requested picture ;)

{{gwi:508529}}

{{gwi:508530}}

It looks like a Schaus from wikipedia pics...but I know nothing.

Thank you for your opinion, dbarron. I assure you, I know less than you do ;)

I've done a very cursory review of available information and my vote is Schauss based on flight pattern. This butterfly flew in sweeping circling low arcs, most certainly not direct straight path. Now, that is depending upon the accuracy of the link I read.

http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/schaus_swallowtail_recovery_plan_1999_revised.pdf

No, it's a giant swallowtail with an unusually pale body.

Sherry

Thank you, Sherry !

Three beautiful butterfly photos.