Adults are known to feed from a variety of plants, including Lantana.
The genus Papilio is Latin for Butterfly. The origin of the species garamas is currently unknown.
The Magnificent Swallowtail is primarily found in forested areas, but they often venture into urban areas.
Males patrol for receptive females. After mating the female lays her eggs on the host plants. The larvae feed on the host plant until they are ready to pupate.
Adults can be observed in the wild from February through November.
Systematically, the Magnificent Swallowtail is in an interesting position. Traditionally the Magnificent Swallowtail belonged to the genus Papilio. Recently it was published that the species has enough distinct traits to justify moving it out of the Papilio genus. Now, when you look in the literature, some list it as being Papilio, while others have it down as Pterourus.
