There has been a relatively recent resurgence of butterflies in my area. In the past week or so I have seen more butterflies than at any other time this summer. Several of the dark swallowtail butterflies, though, are similar in appearance and are hard to tell apart, especially when wing damage hides some of the features that I rely on for identification.
Last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted this beautiful dark swallowtail as it was feeding on a thistle plant. I can’t tell for sure, but I think that it may be a Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus). A chunk of the hind wing is missing, but otherwise the butterfly seems to be in good shape. It was moving around a lot on the thistle, but I was patient and eventually was able to capture a decent shot of this beautiful creature.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Hi Mike, consider yourself lucky to have found a Spicebush Swallowtail. Back in July I saw exactly one Spicebush Swallowtail at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve but quite a large number of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. I am hoping that the Monarch migration (late September and continues through mid October in New Jersey) brings something soon.
Thanks. I looked carefully at my photos, before I decided that this one was probably a Spicebush Swallowtail. I tend to see a lot of Black Swallowtails and Zebra Swallowtails and almost all of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are yellow in color. So, yes, I definitely consider myself lucky to see a Spicebush Swallowtail (assuming that is what it is). 🙂
Beautiful!
Nice post