Spicebush Swallowtail
(Papilio troilus)

Spicebush swallowtails are most commonly seen in the BFEC gardens in July and early August. Adults can also be found in the forests adjacent to the the gardens where sassafras and spicebush, the primary host plants of the larvae grow. At first glance they are similar to Black Swallowtails or the black morph of the Tiger Swallowtail, but the forewing is edged with large yellow spots and the dark stripe on the under side of the wing is missing. Like the black morph of the tiger swallowtail this species is thought to avoid predation by resembling the distasteful pipevine swallowtail.