Papilio troilus: The variable beauty
Aug 31, 2018 8:19:41 GMT
nomad, deliasfanatic, and 3 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Aug 31, 2018 8:19:41 GMT
The Spicebush swallowtail or Green-clouded butterfly (Papilio troilus) is a very beautiful and magnificent species found over much of the Eastern US. It is normally found in deciduous woods or woody swamps where they fly low and fast through shaded areas. However, the butterflies leave their forest havens in search of nectar, water, salts, and possible mates. Open fields next to wooded areas are excellent places to see and even collect this otherwise (difficult to collect) species.
Variation of color and spots
among a selection of males.
The above photograph shows you some of the variability present in the males alone.
The 2 males at the top are examples of what I call the "blue form".
The center males are "typical" examples of what I call the "green form".
The 2 males at the bottom show somewhat reduced green (left specimen); and a fresh hatch very "black" male (right specimen).
Now, I don't know for certain that there are 2 distinct color forms ever mentioned in the literature; however, I think I can say that I have seen enough of this species (to say) that this seems true. The bluish ones are truly a "bluish-green" or "teal" color. The greater majority of males encountered are (as mentioned in our early literature) more "green clouded" in appearance. They are still handsome --- just distinctly a soft green. Fresh hatched examples of males (like the one pictured at the bottom right) are absolutely black in background color however, this state does not seem to last more than a couple days before the black takes on a more brown-black appearance.
As you can see it is a pleasantly variable species and well worth a collectors attention. All of mine are wild collected examples I've made. I actually have 25 males alone but, these were selected to show viewers just some of the possibilities present. In my home state of Illinois, I have to travel quite a ways to collect this remarkable creature. Here, it is largely found in the Southern counties of the state as well as some of the Western counties bordering Iowa. The Central region is largely devoid of the species or at least (it is very localized) due to all the agricultural fields of corn and soybean.
Variation of color and spots
among a selection of males.
The above photograph shows you some of the variability present in the males alone.
The 2 males at the top are examples of what I call the "blue form".
The center males are "typical" examples of what I call the "green form".
The 2 males at the bottom show somewhat reduced green (left specimen); and a fresh hatch very "black" male (right specimen).
Now, I don't know for certain that there are 2 distinct color forms ever mentioned in the literature; however, I think I can say that I have seen enough of this species (to say) that this seems true. The bluish ones are truly a "bluish-green" or "teal" color. The greater majority of males encountered are (as mentioned in our early literature) more "green clouded" in appearance. They are still handsome --- just distinctly a soft green. Fresh hatched examples of males (like the one pictured at the bottom right) are absolutely black in background color however, this state does not seem to last more than a couple days before the black takes on a more brown-black appearance.
As you can see it is a pleasantly variable species and well worth a collectors attention. All of mine are wild collected examples I've made. I actually have 25 males alone but, these were selected to show viewers just some of the possibilities present. In my home state of Illinois, I have to travel quite a ways to collect this remarkable creature. Here, it is largely found in the Southern counties of the state as well as some of the Western counties bordering Iowa. The Central region is largely devoid of the species or at least (it is very localized) due to all the agricultural fields of corn and soybean.
