Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)

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DISTRIBUTION in North Carolina: Statewide, widespread in all three provinces; undoubtedly found in all counties.
ABUNDANCE in North Carolina: Widespread and generally common, though seldom seen in really large numbers; abundance is reasonably similar in each of the three provinces. It is the second-most commonly seen swallowtail (after Eastern Tiger) in the Piedmont.
FLIGHT PERIOD in North Carolina: Late March to early October. Apparently two broods, with a possible partial third brood; main flights downstate are late March to mid- or late June, and early July to early October. September and October may represent a small third flight. The mountain flight period is early April to late June, and early July to mid-September.
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Distribution, abundance, flight period, and map information provided by Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina.
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) 07/23/06 · Alleghany County, NC
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) 07/29/04 · Ashe County, NC ·
(Variation - Median spot band is complete, not lacking the customary orange spot.)
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) 05/25/06 · Ashe County, NC · male
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) 08/03/03 · Ashe County, NC · female
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) 08/10/05 · Ashe County, NC · mated