Black and Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies

There are several yellow and black swallowtail butterflies. Can you tell which is which species?

The first two photos are of butterflies that are similar in markings and color. Notice that the male Black Swallowtail’s yellow line is made of totally separate spots. The Palamedes Swallowtail’s yellow line is one long blurry yellow line.

Next, look at the Tiger Swallowtail and the Giant Swallowtail. Both have yellow under their wings. The Tiger’s ‘stripes’ are visible under its wings. On top of their wings, again the Tiger’s stripes are visible. The Giant Swallowtail has a wide yellow bar that goes from one side of the upper wing to the other side of the other upper wing.