Family: Papilionidae, Swallowtails view all from this family
Description Papilio troilus, the spicebush swallowtail, is a
common black swallowtail butterfly found in North America, also
known as the Green-Clouded butterly. It has two subspecies,
Papilio troilus troilus and Papilio troilus ilioneus, found
mainly in the Florida peninsula. The spicebush swallowtail
derives its name from its most common host plant, the spicebush,
members of the genus Lindera. The family to which spicebush
swallowtails belong, Papilionidae, or Swallowtails, include the
largest butterflies in the world. The Swallowtails are unique in
that even while feeding, they continue to flutter their wings.
Unlike other Swallowtail butterflies, Spicebushes fly low to the
ground instead of at great heights. Dimensions 3 1/2-4 1/2"
(89-114 mm). Habitat Freshwater swamps, marshes & bogs, Cities,
suburbs & towns, Meadows & fields, Forests & woodlands. Range
Northwest, Plains, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, New England, Rocky
Mountains, Texas, Western Ca