The head holds the eyes, mouth and antennae, to the thorax is attached the wings and legs and the abdomen houses the reproductive organs and the breathing apparatus called spiracles. Our state butterfly is the spicebush swallowtail. Upper surface of forewing is mostly black with ivory spots along margin. Underside of hindwing with pale green marginal spots. Females lay single eggs on underside of host plant leaves.
Caterpillars live in shelters of folded-over leaves and come out to feed at night.
Some chrysalids from each generation hibernate. 2 generations per year from April-October. In Florida, several generations between March-December. Deciduous woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks. Occasionally strays to North Dakota, central Colorado, and Cuba.