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Mila'sExotic Plants & CuriositiesA living collection by Luminary OdditiesLuminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Papilio troilus
Lepidoptera / Papilionidae
Papilio troilus is a dark eastern North American swallowtail with blue or blue-green hindwing scaling and pale marginal spots. Its caterpillars fold leaves into shelters and feed on trees and shrubs in the laurel family.
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Papilio troilus and Pterourus troilus are alternative generic combinations for the same swallowtail species. [1]
Black forewings have pale yellow spots near the margin. The tailed hindwings are dusted blue in females and blue-green to green in males. Beneath, orange spots are separated by black and blue patches. [1]
The species ranges from southern Canada through the eastern United States to Florida and west to Texas, occupying natural areas and flower gardens. [1]
The pupa is the overwintering stage; diapause pupae are brown. Shorter day lengths induce dormancy, with the response varying by latitude. [1]
Larval hosts belong to Lauraceae, including spicebush, Lindera benzoin; sassafras, Sassafras albidum; and red bay, Persea borbonia. [1]
Caterpillars spin silk that draws leaf edges together into shelters. They remain concealed by day and feed at night. Males patrol host plants and flyways in search of females. [1]
Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.
Hall and Butler, University of Florida IFAS Extension · Accessed 2026-10-11
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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