Telltale signs that the swallowtail was ready to break through its chrysalis were evident this past Saturday morning. The morphed body was pressing tightly against its outer form and the butterfly's colors were darker and showing through.
We waited about 5 weeks, but at last the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) has emerged. What a spectacular sight! Shimmery black with beautiful irridescent colors and a wingspan of almost 4 inches. I think it's a male since it has both blue and green coloring.
The Spicebush Swallowtail is found along the Eastern United States. Its host plants are the spicebush and sassafras.
Today, it goes free.
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