The spicebush swallowtail butterfly is a large, dark swallowtail. It is one of our most beautiful and interesting swallowtails.
All developmental stages are great examples of adaptive coloration.
The spicebush swallowtail is found throughout the eastern half of the United States from southern Canada south to southern Florida except the Miami area and Keys and west to Texas. It is less common farther west from the Mississippi River. The wingspread range is 4.1 to 5.6 cm. The upper surface of the fore wings is black with a narrow marginal row and a broader submarginal row of light yellow row spots. The upper surfaces of the hind wings also have the rows of spots, but they are light green in color.