SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAIL P a p i l i o
tro i l u s (Pa-pil-ee-oh • troy-lus)
SWAL LOW TAI L FAM I LY (Pa p i l i o n i da e)
WINGSPAN:
17
3.5”- 5.5”
Most frequent within deciduous forests and in nearby openings; often visits gardens, especially those near wooded areas. host plAnts: Members of the laurel family (Lauraceae), sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and spicebush (Lindera benzoin). discussion: Another apparent pipevine swallowtail mimic, this species is seemingly hABitAt:
avoided by predators due to close similarity with the toxic pipevine. Females are marked with splashes of brilliant blue on the dorsal hindwings; in males this area is greenish. Spicebush swallowtails reach peak abundance in large forests of southern Ohio, where it can be numerous. There are normally two broods, in spring and late summer. Because hatches of
each brood extend over several weeks, this species can be found from early spring into late fall. The caterpillar is an exceptional example of deceptive camouflage. It appears to have a fearsome snake-like face, which presumably can frighten off potential predators. The spicebush gets its name from one of the host plants of its larvae, spicebush, a common woodland shrub.
occurrence: Ja Fb Mr Ap Ma Jn Ju Ag Sp Oc Nv Dc photography
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C ATerpILLArLeSLIe ANGeL; VeNTrALJAreT dANIeLS; dOrSALAL STAFFAN