spicebush swallowtail
(Papilio troilus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | N4? - Apparently Secure |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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Size |
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Similar Species |
Habitat |
Deciduous woodlands and open areas near woodlands, woodland edges, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks. |
Ecology |
Season |
Two broods from April to October. |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Larva Hosts |
In Minnesota only prickly ash. |
Adult Food |
Nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, spotted touch-me-not, thistle, milkweed, dogbane, sensitive plant. |
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 9/19/2025). |
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| 9/19/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Rare stray |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Papilionoidea (butterflies) |
Family |
Papilionidae (swallowtails and parnassians) |
Subfamily |
Papilioninae (swallowtails) |
Tribe |
Papilionini (fluted swallowtails) |
Genus |
Papilio (common swallowtails) |
Subgenus |
Pterourus (tiger swallowtails and allies) |
Some sources have raised the subgenus Pterourus to full species rank. For those sources, which includes Moth Photographers Group, this and other tiger swallowtails and allies are in the genus Pterourus. |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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spicebush swallowtail |
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Visitor Photos
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Captive insect – Butterfly Garden at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota. |
Slideshows
Papilio troilus (Spicebush Swallowtail)
Allen Chartier
Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly on native plants
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
Visitor Videos
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Other Videos
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio Troilus)
TheLoneKnight
Spicebush caterpillar defense
RoddyAndClark
Spicebush Swallowtail
TheChannelOfAnimals
Spicebush Swallowtail Visiting Evening Primrose - June 15, 2013
Don Gagnon
Nature Notes Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
SouthCarolinaETV
Visitor Sightings
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Eric Lovett
7/22/2021
Location: Redwood Falls, MN
It couldn't get enough of the Phlox in our pollinator garden!
Melissa Dunbar
8/15/2020
Location: Dakota County
This beautiful Spicebush swallowtail landed on my yellow zinnia in my garden yesterday
Christine
6/8/2019
Location: Zimmerman, MN
Alicia Williams
7/25/2014
Location: Carver County, Chaska, my yard (open field near woodland)
I found what appeared to be a newly emerged Spicebush Swallowtail; its wings were still unfolding. I was able to take photos and move it to a more safe location.
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
