The Spicebush Swallowtail is a species of average to large-sized butterflies found in several regions of North America. It gets the name Spicebush from its favorite host plant with the same name. The Spicebush Swallowtail is generally black and marked with broad black hind wings bordered with pale, greenish spots. Hind wings on the male have a blue-green band, and the female has a blue shading.

 

Female

“Spicebush Swallowtail” by John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Male

“Spicebush Swallowtail” by Rodney Campbell, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Spicebush Swallowtail Facts

Butterfly Family: Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Papilioninae

Butterfly Wingspan: 3 – 4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks

 

Spicebush Swallowtail Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Spicebush
• Sassafras

Nectar Plants:

• Swamp Milkweed
• Butterfly Weed
• Ironweed
• Thistles
• Lantana
• Dogbane
• Phlox
• Purple Coneflower
• Joe-Pye Weed
• Buttonbush
• Red Cardinal Flower
• Zinnia