Attract Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies and Caterpillars

Seeing a spicebush swallowtail butterfly floating on black, blue and orange spotted wings is a backyard treat. And it’s easier to attract these butterflies (and their caterpillars) than you may think.

See 6 common swallowtail butterflies you should know.

What Does a Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Look Like?

Courtesy Linda Lapre

Adult spicebush swallowtail butterflies are known for their large, mostly black wings that span 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches.

If you’re looking at the butterfly from above, the black wings have large pale spots along the edge. They also have a dusting of color toward the lower part of the wings but above the pale dots. This coloring is blue on females to blue-green on males.

From below, look for a blue spot interrupting rows of orange dots. Spicebush swallowtails look somewhat similar to black swallowtails, but lack the yellow markings.

Learn fascinating swallowtail butterfly facts.

What Does a Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar Look Like?

Courtesy Pamela Calnen

Spicebush swallowtail caterpillars emerge from white or white-green round eggs. In the earliest stages, the caterpillars start off small and brown to mimic bird droppings for safety.

Older caterpillars look quite intimidating, with large eyespots. They are mainly green but turn yellow shortly before transitioning into a butterfly.

Learn how to attract pipevine swallowtail butterflies to your garden.

Spicebush Swallowtail Range and Habitat

You can find spicebush swallowtails in the eastern United States. They visit gardens as far west as Texas and north to Iowa and southern Maine. They primarily hang out in woodlands, fields, roadsides and gardens.

Look for zebra swallowtail butterflies in southern states.

How to Attract Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies

Courtesy Joy Brannon

The best way to draw spicebush swallowtail butterflies to your yard is by growing one of their host plants. These are specific flowers, shrubs or trees that butterflies lay their eggs on and their caterpillars eat. Grow one of these host plants in your backyard for the chance to see the caterpillars.

Spicebush swallowtails only choose spicebush shrubs, sassafras, swamp bay and red bay trees.

But if you don’t have space for a large shrub or tree, other options exist. The adult butterflies visit a variety of flowering plants.

For example, reader Joy Brannon of Riverton, Kansas, notes that spicebush swallowtails visit the butterfly weed she planted for monarchs. She says, “I was pleasantly surprised to find this spicebush swallowtail butterfly (above) on my butterfly weed. As a child, I always liked to chase butterflies, and as a senior citizen, I’m still chasing them.”

Draw in these visitors with any butterfly favorites, like these blooming shrubs, or a puddling station.

Next, learn how to identify and attract a giant swallowtail butterfly.