Spicebush Swallowtail
FamilyPapilionidae
Scientific NamePapilio troilus
RangeEastern North America
HabitatWoodlands, swamps
About the Spicebush Swallowtail
A black swallowtail with blue-green clouding on the hindwings. Its caterpillars are famous for large fake eyespots on their front end that make them resemble a small snake or tree frog. They hide by day in leaves they fold over with silk. Caterpillars feed on spicebush and sassafras. Adults are thought to mimic the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail.
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