I am confused about spicebush swallowtail. I submitted a post of a spicebush sighting. I usually double-check ID with butterflyAI. AI said the photo was “Papilio Troilus 93%”. AI said “Spicebush Swallowtail Pterourus Troilus 1.5%”. Based on fieldmarks on below forewing and open wing photos the critter was spicebush. But I thought Spicebush was Papilio troilus. So, what gives?
Thanks for the help.
Anne Tucker
PS Spring has sprung here in southwest Virginia!! It’s a great time of year!!
Right now some taxonomists think that the subgenus should be elevated to genus level and others are not elevating it yet. We followed Butterflies of North America some time ago and elevated it. So now the genus is Pterourus, see Pterourus t. troilus (Linnaeus, 1758). However, there is some discussion among taxonomists now and some are switching back… taxonomy and science marches on. Either way, it is still the same butterfly.
Thanks for the info. I am still labeling the critters as Spicebush.