MaleEnlarge

MaleEnlarge

Life Cycle of Butterflies

EggEnlarge	CaterpillarEnlarge
Can turn color before pupatingEnlarge	ChrysalisEnlarge

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)

This beautiful black bodied swallowtail is black with shiny blue or green wings. It has blue between two rows of orange spots on the underside of the hind wings and the colors on the upper side of the hind wings have one row of white spots. The caterpillars look like small snakes, having large eyespots; they hide in folded leaves during the day and come out to feed in the evenings. The chrysalis is either brown or green resembling the stem in which it is attached. These butterflies are a pleasure to watch and a welcome visitor to any garden.

Family: Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Subfamily: Swallowtail (Papilioninae)

Average Wingspan: 3 1/2" - 4"

Habitat: Wooded areas, swamps, parks, fields

Similar To: Black Swallowtail

Plants That Attract This Butterfly

• Nectar Plants (What is this?)
  Butterfly Bush, Lantana, Common Milkweed, Sunflower, Salvia
  
• Host Plants (What is this?)
  Prickly Ash, Sassafras, Spicebush

* May not be available for purchase at your local nursery.

Note: Always check a plant's Hardiness Zone to make sure it will grow in your area. (What Is My Hardiness Zone?)

Where To Buy Plants

Butterfly Flight Range Map

Photo Credits:
Male (open wing) - Bud Hensley
Male (closed wing) - Fred Miller
Egg - Regina Cutter Edwards
Caterpillar - Bud Hensley
Caterpillar (orange) - Lisa Keown
Chrysalis - Bud Hensley