Common throughout NC, Spicebush Swallowtails are similar to the other dark swallowtails, but can be quickly identified by the series of pale blue half-moons near the trailing edge of the hindwings.

Haywood Co., NC 5/13/05.

Carroll Co., VA 7/22/02

Person Co., NC 6/13/06.

Two large false eyespots give Spicebush caterpillars a comical appearance. Their main host plants are Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The unfortunate caterpillar at left had fallen out of a Sassafras tree onto my car. I placed it on a Sassafras leaf for this photo.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/05.

This caterpillar looks like a bird dropping with a salamander's head.

Carroll Co., VA 8/13/05.

Same individual.

Carroll Co., VA 8/13/05.