That's amazing! I've never seen a swallowtail so faded with age that all the identifying markings are gone, at least, not visible in the picture. I'd guess by the shape and size, it's most likely a spicebush swallowtail, but it could be a tiger swallowtail.

If you took any other pictures of it, and the body is totally black, then you can know it's a black form female tiger swallowtail. Spicebush swallowtails have spots on the black background.

Unless it's some foreign butterfly that somebody raised and released, (illegally) that's the only answer I can give.

Sherry

Thanks Sherry,
here is the only other picture, unless it comes back.
{{gwi:525553}}
:) Laura

From that picture, it looks like it's got a solid black body, so I'll ID it as a black form female tiger swallowtail - I know of no other butterfly with that feature. She's living on borrowed time!

The flowers are SO pretty!

Sherry

Wow, that is astonishing. It is so faded that it looks brown instead of black. I have never seen one with no markings at all. I agree with Sherry. Your flowers are wonderful!
Angie

Thanks for the compliments :) I would have responded sooner, but my computer has PMS lol I need a new one.
:) Laura