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Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
30.4694, -83.6302
Field Notes
Description:
I know this is a swallow tail just not sure which one. Black and blue wings with tips on orange just where they meet. Was a fairly large butterfly.
The adults have a wingspan of 2.5 - 3.8 inches.
Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars are really fascinating! They are bright green with numerous blue spots with thin black outlines. Their eyespots are much bigger, with the black part being kind of shiny. They also have two other secondary fake eye spots that are yellow. The bottom half of their bodies are a sort of pinkish color. Viewed from certain angles they look like a small snake, to help scare off predators.
Habitat:
Their range is most of the eastern half of the US, except extreme south Florida and Texas. Spicebush Swallowtail Host Plants
The two most commonly used host plants are Spicebush - Lindera benzoin and Sassafras - Sassafras albidum.
Notes:
I had no idea that these came from those cute caterpillars I keep seeing that appear to have giant eyes! Thanks to all that helped ID for me.
More information and photos can be found here:
http://www.butterflygardeningandconservation.com/butterfly/st/spicebush…
Going to keep my eyes open this year for the caterpillars!
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