Insect · GBIF taxon 1938104
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilusAlso known as Green-clouded Butterfly
Spicebush swallowtails are distinctive black butterflies known for their iridescent blue-green clouding on the hindwings and characteristic yellow or orange spots along the margins. Caterpillars undergo remarkable transformations, morphing from bird-dropping mimics into snake-eyed visual deterrents before pupating in rolled leaves. Males actively patrol woodland borders and damp soil patches to puddle for essential minerals.
DiurnalPollinatorColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Spicebush Leaves
- Sassafras Leaves
- Flower Nectar
Predators
- Songbirds
- Spiders
- Praying Mantises
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, deforestation, and local pesticide use
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, swamp margins, parks, and overgrown fields
Life span1–2 weeks (adults); 1–2 months (total life cycle)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyPapilionidae
- GenusPapilio
- SpeciesPapilio troilus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Gardening for Caterpillars: Plant native spicebush or sassafras shrubs to attract egg-laying females to backyard spaces.
- Puddling Spots: Look for males gathering on damp soil or mud banks to sip nutrient-rich fluids on warm summer afternoons.
- Gentle Viewing: Approach slowly without casting sudden shadows over perched individuals to avoid startling them into flight.
Host Plant (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-by
Mimicry Model (c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by M. Whitson · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Eastern Tiger Swallowtail" by ShenandoahNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/. · cc0
Close Relative "black swallowtail caterpillar" by animantis is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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