NH A006
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
Category: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
Category: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
So you may have noticed something a bit different, the Sholesonian tag for this nice butterfly specimen is A006 so what in the world does that mean? Well, I'm currently in Arkansas working on a research project investigating the geology of Venus and I unfortunately wasn't able to bring all my museum equipment (including the record book for insects) so all non-geology/fossil posts will have a unique Arkansas tag. And now that we are back up and running here is a beautiful swallowtail specimen collected outside the Fantastic Caverns of Springfield, Missouri with a new Sholesonian researcher Eddie Brooks:
Found outside the entrance of the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri on May 26, 2012, this butterfly, known as the Spicebush Swallowtail (or alternatively the Green-Clouded), starts off as a particularly distinct caterpillar. Upon maturing to its largest size, the Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar replicates the image of a tiny, bright green snake, giving it a very clever disguise to defend against predators. The caterpillar, once hatched, never strays to far from where it was born. The plant most frequently found to be host to these caterpillars is Lindera Benzoin, commonly known as the Spicebush, and is how our butterfly gets its name. Shortly before entering the chrysalis stage, they turn yellow.
Upon maturing fully, they will emerge as swallowtail butterflies, insects with forked wings spanning three to four inches. They can be found all along the eastern coast of the United States, less frequently further north, but occasionally as far north as southern Canada, and can reach as far west as Western Oklahoma, typically in deciduous habitats. Spicebush Swallowtails feed on the nectars of many plants, including honeysuckle, milkweed, and dogbane.
Swallowtail butterflies have large, colorful wings, making them very popular among collectors. Their shape, also very distinct, have caused them to appear as the inspiration behind a few butterfly appearances in pop culture, ranging from classic TV shows such as Gilligan's Island to video games such as Pokemon. If you want to learn more about the Spicebush Swallowtail, BugGuide has additional information.
Upon maturing fully, they will emerge as swallowtail butterflies, insects with forked wings spanning three to four inches. They can be found all along the eastern coast of the United States, less frequently further north, but occasionally as far north as southern Canada, and can reach as far west as Western Oklahoma, typically in deciduous habitats. Spicebush Swallowtails feed on the nectars of many plants, including honeysuckle, milkweed, and dogbane.
Swallowtail butterflies have large, colorful wings, making them very popular among collectors. Their shape, also very distinct, have caused them to appear as the inspiration behind a few butterfly appearances in pop culture, ranging from classic TV shows such as Gilligan's Island to video games such as Pokemon. If you want to learn more about the Spicebush Swallowtail, BugGuide has additional information.