If you found the cats on new, tender growth, and put that leaf in water, then I'm not surprised the leaf is wilting. It works better to cut down further on the branch to an older leaf. Of course, if your plant is real small, that's hard to do.
I've not had much success growing spicebush in the past, but I've finally gotten one growing good in a mostly shady spot.....knock on wood! If I find any spicebush eggs or cats on mine, I plan to transfer them to sassafras, like I've done in the past. They accept the sassafras readily - I think the chemical make-up of the leaves must be nearly the same.
Since I've had so much trouble growing spicebush, I don't want to set this one back.

Congrats on the caterpillars!

Sherry

Thanks Sherry. They were older leaves and they perked up. I am now thinking that they were getting too much sun through the window. My Spicebush plants are in a shady spot here too. They only get a little morning sun. I assume that the cats attach to little sticks for pupation? I am really thrilled to have them.

the best way to rear them is to put them back on the plant, They will do much better. The way i do is to use a tomato cage around your little tree and put some tulle ( very inexpensive at any hobby lobby, michaels, joann fabrics ) with a twist tie at the bottom. your beautiful babies will be protected, yet growing and you can easily remove the tulle every time you want to look at them or like me take hundreds of pics ! LOL Enjoy your babies and good luck

Anne

bandjzmom,

How wonderful for you! I've been growing these little bushes, too, but my helpful son thought they were trash plants and cut them all to the ground last year. They've come back but I've yet to see any interest in them by mama butterfly.

Thank you for starting this helpful thread.

Ann ... excellent suggestion for using tulle for an 'in place' rearing cage. There are even places where you can purchase the very fine mesh fabric by the yard, which is used for people bug hoods, etc.

Mary

Thank you Anne and Mary for your thoughts. I haven't actually seen a Spicebush Swallowtail yet this year, but there was obviously one that did come through. Planting butterfly host plants is just so important I think. I imagine that I shall succeed with my Spicy babies. I can't wait to watch them grow and change. :)
Angie

Amen to that. If more people planted and nurtured host plants, the Monarch may make a comeback, along c other butterflies/host plants which suffered the effects of the drought.