Spicebush Swallowtail

I planted a spicebush seedling at the edge of our forest last spring and discovered there were more growing under the trees nearby - big enough that their top branches are out of the reach of deer. In our forest even the plants normally unpalatable to deer get browsed in the winter. My little one has a protective fence around it and the sassafras seedling I planted at the same time.

It is a joy to see the spicebush butterflies finding the zinnia flowers on our deck. The caterpillars need spice bush but the adults need nectar from flowers so sustain them while they complete the life cycle…laying eggs on the spice bush for the next generation.

At first the butterflies seem drab compared to the tiger swallowtails or Monarchs…but I like the crescents on the underside edge of the wings (yellow or orange); they almost seem to glow.

Seen from the top - there are more crescents and a blue power….and the ‘swallowtail’ shape.