Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus

Widespread and fairly common from spring into fall in NC, the caterpillars feed on spicebush and sassafras. Note the very bold aqua-colored "half-moons" along the trailing edge of the hindwing. Also on the dorsal hindwing, note the lack of a black spot inside the orange spot. (Black Swallowtails have a black spot centered inside this orange spot.)


Moore Co., NC 11 June 2003	Sandhills Gamelands Scotland Co., NC 10 April 2004


Orange Co., NC 5 Apr 2006	Haywood Co., NC 16 Apr 2006


Scotland Co., NC 20 Apr 2008	Scotland Co., NC 20 Apr 2008

	Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus Orange Co., NC 9 July 2008
	Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus Orange Co., NC 9 July 2008

	Orange Co., NC 17 Apr 2006

Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus
Scotland Co., NC
20 Apr 2008

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... June 29, 2003 | Updated ... Oct 25, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu