Spicebush Swallowtail " Papilio Troilus" from Eden of Wings, FL

Wingspan: 3" to 4"

Dramatic wings of black and blue ( for females) or blue-green (for males) make this butterfly hard to miss. Caterpillars spin a mat of silk that pulls the sides of the leaves together, giving protection as they feed. There are two to three generations each year.

Larva: Young caterpillars are brown and white with eyes spots on the thorax. Unlike the Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly, the larvae have a dark patch on the white rear. Mature larvae are yellowish green above and reddish brown below. A wide yellow line is present on the sides. The abdomen has a rows of small blue spots. The thorax is enlarged and has a pair of large eyespots and larges orange spots. The body is stout. The osmeterium is bright yellow. This larvae is very similar to that of the Palamedes Swallowtail.

Pupa: The chrysalis may be green or brown and is strongly bent away from the substrate.

What are the Host Plants for Spicebush Swallowtail?

* Cassytha filiformis "love vine"

* Lindera benzoin "spicebush"

* Litsea aestivalis "pondspice"

* Ocotea coriacea "lancewood"

* Persea borbonia " red bay"

* Persea palustris " swamp bay"

* Sassafras album "sassafras"

* Cinnamomum camphor " camphor cornundrum"