Observation date: June 08, 2022
Submitted by: tjrychener
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: observed in our lawn on a partly cloudy day, we planted spicebush in our yard two years ago and will monitor for caterpillars. This is the first one we have observed.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: June 08, 2022
Coordinator notes: This is actually a female Black Swallowtail. It can be easily confused with a Spicebush Swallowtail due to the amount of blue on its hindwings. In fact...this is their goal (and the female Spicebush Swallowtail's as well). The female Black Swallowtail, female Spicebush Swallowtail (and somewhat males), dark form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Red-Spotted Purple, and the lesser known female Diana Fritillary are all part of the Batesian Mimicry ring to mimic the Pipevine Swallowtail, which is poisonous/unpalatable. They are all trying to trick potential predators as a survival tactic. This is similar to the Viceroy/Monarch mimicry. Don't worry...you'll get rewarded with Spicebush Swallowtails sooner or later... -jmgesell
