Post by trehopr1 on Dec 2, 2020 1:18:29 GMT -8
The Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) which has also
been called the Green-clouded Swallowtail (in older literature)
is an attractive butterfly species of subtle variation.
When you are in field with these fellows they pretty much appear
only as large blackish butterflies lacking the "pop" of color or
uniqueness of stripes which other species such as P. glaucus or
P. marcellus possess.
However, as the saying goes: looks can be deceiving. In the case
of this species they are a pleasant surprise. Looking more closely
at a series of males often reveals subtleties in green coloration,
intensity or (lack of) in the black color, or boldness and/or color
differences in the submarginal lunules.
So, to convey at least some of the possibilities out there should
you catch this species I show quick shots of 4 individuals of mine
which were all collected the same day/same field on the same afternoon.
Subtle but, pleasantly nice differences for a large black butterfly...
Here we have a "wild collected" fresh hatch (male).
The black color on newly emerged specimens is stunning. Black as "pitch" and the green itself is soft in tone
yet bold enough so as not to mistake the species for anything else.
In our next photo, I offer two other color variants or at least "subtle" (perhaps) forms
which this species also illustrates...
Top specimen: I've got at least 4 or 5 of these and they are unique because un-like any others
which I have; their color is more so a "blue-green" tone overall AND this same unique color in
all of mine (or at least those from this brood) "stretches"into the very "tail" region itself !
Bottom specimen: The color tone on this one is what I would describe as a "powdery green". It
is not quite as bold as on a freshly hatched (male) and the black color has already lost some of its
depth. Sunlight seems to dull somewhat the black coloration even within a couple days.
Still in all I think it's readily apparent in the photo the color differences.
Lastly, I offer yet another (male) with some extended green coloration
on the forewings which is creeping upwards the forewing margins.
I have seen a specimen where this extra green ran to a "midway point" up the forewing margin !
In closing my discussion, I offer yet another fine example of this wonderful species.
been called the Green-clouded Swallowtail (in older literature)
is an attractive butterfly species of subtle variation.
When you are in field with these fellows they pretty much appear
only as large blackish butterflies lacking the "pop" of color or
uniqueness of stripes which other species such as P. glaucus or
P. marcellus possess.
However, as the saying goes: looks can be deceiving. In the case
of this species they are a pleasant surprise. Looking more closely
at a series of males often reveals subtleties in green coloration,
intensity or (lack of) in the black color, or boldness and/or color
differences in the submarginal lunules.
So, to convey at least some of the possibilities out there should
you catch this species I show quick shots of 4 individuals of mine
which were all collected the same day/same field on the same afternoon.
Subtle but, pleasantly nice differences for a large black butterfly...
Here we have a "wild collected" fresh hatch (male).
The black color on newly emerged specimens is stunning. Black as "pitch" and the green itself is soft in tone
yet bold enough so as not to mistake the species for anything else.
In our next photo, I offer two other color variants or at least "subtle" (perhaps) forms
which this species also illustrates...
Top specimen: I've got at least 4 or 5 of these and they are unique because un-like any others
which I have; their color is more so a "blue-green" tone overall AND this same unique color in
all of mine (or at least those from this brood) "stretches"into the very "tail" region itself !
Bottom specimen: The color tone on this one is what I would describe as a "powdery green". It
is not quite as bold as on a freshly hatched (male) and the black color has already lost some of its
depth. Sunlight seems to dull somewhat the black coloration even within a couple days.
Still in all I think it's readily apparent in the photo the color differences.
Lastly, I offer yet another (male) with some extended green coloration
on the forewings which is creeping upwards the forewing margins.
I have seen a specimen where this extra green ran to a "midway point" up the forewing margin !
In closing my discussion, I offer yet another fine example of this wonderful species.
