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spicebush swallowtail
Papilio troilus
Identification: Wingspan 3 -4 inches. Upper surface of forewing is mostly black with ivory spots along margin. Upper surface of hindwing has orange spot on costal margin and sheen of bluish (female) or bluish-green (male) scales. Underside of hindwing with pale green marginal spots.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks.
Garden Habit: Males patrol in woods, roads and woodland edges to find receptive females. Females lay single eggs on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars live in shelters of folded-over leaves and come out to feed at night. Two large fake eyes on the shoulders help ward off predators. Some chrysalids from each generation hibernate.
Host Plants: shrub: spicebush; shade tree: sassafras
Identification: Wingspan 3 -4 inches. Upper surface of forewing is mostly black with ivory spots along margin. Upper surface of hindwing has orange spot on costal margin and sheen of bluish (female) or bluish-green (male) scales. Underside of hindwing with pale green marginal spots.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks.
Garden Habit: Males patrol in woods, roads and woodland edges to find receptive females. Females lay single eggs on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars live in shelters of folded-over leaves and come out to feed at night. Two large fake eyes on the shoulders help ward off predators. Some chrysalids from each generation hibernate.
Host Plants: shrub: spicebush; shade tree: sassafras