Spicebush Swallowtail

The Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is a remarkable butterfly at every stage of the game. The adult butterfly is quite large with a wingspan of three to four inches across. Though they resemble Black Swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes), they lack the distinctive black spot in the orange spot at the base of their wings that Black Swallowtails display.

This species displays sexual dimorphism which means that males and females have different coloration. Males have hind wings with a pale green to yellow coloration. Females display a blue iridescent coloration which imitates the distasteful Pipevine Swallowtail as part of the Swallowtail mimicry complex.

A male Pipevine Swallowtail approaches a female in preparation for mating.

Spicebush host on spicebush, sassafras, tulip tree, sweetbay magnolia, camphor, and redbay. Females lay pearly white spherical eggs are singly on the undersides of new growth.

Spicebush Swallowtail larvae are leaf-rollers. They create shelters for by first cutting and pulling small sections of leaves around themselves to hide from predators. As they grow larger, they wrap up in entire leaves, and fifth-instar caterpillars may even stitch several leaves together.

Spicebush Swallowtail larvae display large eyespots in their later instars in an effort into scaring predators into thinking they're much bigger than they actually are. Their actual eyes are much smaller and are located lower, close to their mouths. Spicebush caterpillars start off brown in color but molt to a brilliant green. Late instar caterpillars appear a bright orange or yellow in color as they prepare to pupate.

Spicebush chrysalids can range in color from green to brown, and any combination in between. Sometimes they even display interesting markings, all in an effort to look more like the leaves they are hidden within.

What’s in a name? The species name "troilus" is Greek in origin. In Greek mythology Troilus was the beautiful son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Some stories include Troilus and his sister Polyxena being set upon by Achilles while watering their horses. In this version of the tale Troilus seeks sanctuary in a temple of Apollo but Achilles catches up to the boy and murders him at the alter. Other tales from mythology depict Troilus in unequal combat with Achilles who prevails in the battle. Troilus and his love for Cressida are subjects of plays by Chaucer and Shakespeare.