Spicebush Swallowtail
Male - May 2022
Spicebush Swallowtails (Papilio troilus) fly through wooded areas as well as meadows and grasslands. Chances are if you see a large black and blue butterfly it is a Spicebush!!
Female - August 2023
These butterflies are about 4.1 inches across with wings spread. Males have a brilliant shimmering blue band across the upperside of the hindwings that looks almost like a waterfall, and females have more subtle sprinkled blue details. In certain light you can even make out individual scales on the wings!! Both have awesome pale light blue - white spots and crescents along the upper forewing and hindwing margins.
Female - August 2023
Always check out butterflyweed when you are out hiking. So many different butterfly species can be found and Spicebush Swallowtails just love these flowers!!
Female - July 2022
It took quite an effort and balancing act to photograph this basking Spicebush Swallowtail through the meadow plants. Finally I was able to get an angle!!
Female - June 2025
It’s interesting to observe Spicebush Swallowtails in differing environments. This female from June 2025 was all the way out on an open mountainside feeding on a Viper Bugloss bloom.
Female - May 2025
This newly-emerged female was in an open wooded area where I most often find the species. I was lucky enough to observe her as she was drying her wings at rest and then taking short flights through the forest.
Male puddling on gravel - June 2022
You can often find puddling groups which include multiple species of butterflies together. It’s always fun to see these huge Spicebush Swallowtails with sulphurs, whites or blues as they absorb nutrients from the soil.
July 2026
This Spicebush Swallowtail found some nice rain puddles and moved along the stone patches finding the perfect spot!!
