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Butterfly Garden

Help with Swallowtail ID?

9 years ago

Not sure if this is a Spicebush swallowtail. Its been a couple years since I've seen them around here. Last year I had a slew of dark form ETS that made me question my previous spicebush IDs, they are similar. What should I be looking for when differentiating the two?

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Comments (4)

bernergrrl
9 years ago
Definitely looks like a Spicebush--its red spot doesn't have a black dot in the middle of it like it would for the BST. There is also no line of yellow dots about the blue area like there would be for the female BST.

From people here (Miss Sherry and Jeff), I learned on the underwing there is a blue comet instead of a yellow spot.

I know these Black and Blue butterflies are really tricky!

Beautiful picture! Lucky you!
caterwallin
9 years ago
Male Spicebush Swallowtail, and I agree with bernergrrl.
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monkeybelle
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks! I actually got a dark ETS the next day and was able to see exactly what you meant by the "comet." That's what I'm looking for, from now on!
notolover
9 years ago
WOW--that is lovely. I've never seen that color here in N. Nev.

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