Papilio troilus

Spicebush Swallowtail

Basic Information

General information

Family: Papilionidae
Sub Family: Papilioninae
Estimated Lifespan 14 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 1957
First Flown On: 10/21/02
Last Flown On: 03/19/19

Species Range:

  • NorthAmerica

Host plants:

  • Persea borbonia
  • Lindera benzoin
  • Sassafras albidium
  • Liriodendron tulipifera

Food Source

Adult butterflies nectar on a variety of native and cultivated flowering plants.

Habitat

Spicebush Swallowtails can be found in a variety of habitats such as woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards and parks.

Life history

After mating females lay eggs individually on the underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars remain on the host plant until pupation.

Flights

In the northern part of the range there are 2 flights per year from April-October and in the southern areas there are several generations per year.

Fun Facts

The caterpillars of the Spicebush Swallowtails have eyespots on their backs making them resemble a snake head. They also make shelters out of host plant leaves where they can hide when not eating.