# Spicebush Swallowtail (*Papilio troilus*) The Spicebush Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with black wings and bright blue spots. They love to flutter around gardens and forests, making them a delight to see! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 77 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Spicebush Butterfly ![Spicebush Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spicebush02.jpg&width=800) Photo: Greg Hume, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spicebush02.jpg) ## Appearance The Spicebush Swallowtail has large, black wings with iridescent blue-green patches, especially on the hindwings. A distinctive row of orange spots lines the lower edges of its wings, which also feature prominent 'tails'. Its caterpillars are bright green with large, convincing false eyespots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## Interesting facts - Adult Spicebush Swallowtails 'puddle' for minerals, often in groups on damp ground! - The pupa of this butterfly can change color to perfectly match its surroundings! - Their caterpillars build cozy leaf shelters by folding and silking leaves together to rest inside! - Young caterpillars have fake 'eyes' that make them look like a tiny snake! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Mimic:** Spicebush Swallowtail can look like the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail that helps them scare away predators who avoid foul-tasting prey. - **Caterpillar Disguise:** Spicebush Swallowtail has caterpillars that resemble bird droppings, which helps them hide from hungry birds while young. - **Stinky Defense:** Spicebush Swallowtail can scare predators by extending an orange, foul-smelling osmeterium from its head when threatened. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 90-130 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 6-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar from many plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves of host plants, but adults drink nectar from various flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Spicebush leaves, Sassafras leaves, Milkweed nectar, Thistle nectar, Cardinal flower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Spicebush (*Lindera benzoin*) — Main host plant for its caterpillars. - **Depends on:** [Sassafras](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sassafras) (*Sassafras albidum*) — An alternative host plant for its caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults feed on its nectar, aiding pollination. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds, like jays, are common predators of this butterfly. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spicebush Swallowtail? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Spicebush Swallowtail's wingspan? 90-130 mm ### How big is Spicebush Swallowtail? 30-40 mm ### How long does Spicebush Swallowtail live? 6-14 days ### How fast can Spicebush Swallowtail fly? 15 km/h ### What does Spicebush Swallowtail eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar from many plants. ### Where is Spicebush Swallowtail usually found? Forests ### How does Spicebush Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Berkshire Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berkshire-botanical-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Spicebush Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spicebush-swallowtail) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Spicebush Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spicebush-swallowtail)