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Spicebush swallowtail

Papilio troilus

Description:

Wing span: 3 - 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm).(1) Identification Adult: 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.(1) Median spotband on underside of hindwing missing one orange spot.(2) Caterpillar: First three instars resemble a bird dropping. Last two instars are green with large eyespots - the two largest on third thoracic segment have black "pupils", two smaller ones on first abdominal segment do not. The larva changes color to orange or yellow just prior to pupating.

Habitat:

Wooded area, near a pond/brook

2 Comments

Lisaremington
Lisaremington 4 years ago

Thank you so very much! Yes, I agree with you. I'll adjust my sighting. I appreciate your help. :)

ForestDragon
ForestDragon 4 years ago

I believe you have found a beautiful male Spicebush Swallowtail. The black colored swallowtails can often be confused with each other. If you check the link I provided you can compare to yours.

Lisaremington
Spotted by
Lisaremington

New Hampshire, USA

Spotted on Jun 15, 2019
Submitted on Oct 14, 2019

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