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Spicebush swallowtail
Papilio troilus
43.027, -71.5558
Field Notes
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
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