Critters of the Week

Where Spotted: Bryan Park
Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail
Scientific Name: Papilio troilus
Wingspan:  92-124 mm (3.83-4.78 in)

Quick Facts

• Males are reported to drink from mud puddles. More commonly, they are extracting minerals from wet soil, not from puddles.
• Males patrol host plants and flyways to locate females.
• The spicebush swallowtail is threatened throughout its range due to mortality of its caterpillar host plants from laurel wilt fungus which is transmitted by the introduced red bay ambrosia beetle.
• A male spicebush swallowtail was featured on the third butterfly stamp (issued January, 2013) in the U.S. Postal Service’s series of stamps for large greeting cards.
• The spicebush swallowtail is found throughout the eastern half of the United States from southern Canada south to southern Florida (except the Miami area and Keys) and west to Texas. It is less common farther west from the Mississippi River.

Oxford Comma at Richmond SPCA

Oxford Comma is the name…don’t wear it out! I can be a bit of a stickler for grammar, but I promise I won’t get on you too much! If you’re in need of a sophisticated pal, come meet me at the Richmond SPCA!

Age: 4 years, 5 months
Gender: Neutered Male
Color: Grey
Declawed: No
ID: 43933999

Adopt Oxford Comma at Richmond SPCA

Learn more about their adoption process.

To reduce visitor traffic, during the COVID-19 outbreak they are scheduling adoption appointments beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Please leave your phone number in a voicemail or email and an adoption counselor will call to set an appointment for you to meet with a pet. Email the adoption center or call 804-521-1307.

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