Butterflies

Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery : Butterflies

Papilioa (Pterourus) troilus (Spicebush Swallowtail)

This large swallowtail is black with a row of yellowish-white spots along the margins of the wings. There is a pair of orange spots where the hindwings meet. The female of this species mimics the Pipevine Swallowtail, but can be distinguished by the hindwings' underside pattern of two rows of orange spots (interrupted by a row of blue spots). The wingspan is from 3.75 to 4.25 inches.

This species is found in the forest. It is a breeding resident of Illinois in all but the northwest corner of the state. The host plant is the sassafras or spicebush. The pupae overwinter near this host plant. There are two to three generations per year.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Photographed by Dr. Everett Cashatt
Accession #:

Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery : Butterflies

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