Monday, May 14, 2012

Common Mormon


Common Mormon  Papilio polytes Linnaeus


Wingspan: 90 - 100mm.

Common mormon is the  most common species among swallow tail butterflies. Male is black with an array of white spots along the central areas of the hind-wing. The border of the fore wing is marked with smaller white spots.

Common Mormon female laying eggs

 Females have three forms, the form cyrus similar to the male and the romulus form mimicking Crimson Rose butterfly. The form stichius is a mimic of Common Rose Butterfly.

Malabar Banded Swallow Tail
 Malabar Banded Swallow Tail

 Malabar Banded Swallow Tail an endemic butterfly of Western Ghats is a similar species to the Common Mormon.


Common Mormon Butterfly Emerging from Pupa
Common Mormon Butterfly Emerging from Pupa


Common Mormon is a regular sight in city garden to forest because of the abundance of larva host plant and nectaring plants. Males often engage in mud puddling; which is a common sight at riverbeds and wet soil.


Egg of Common Mormon Butterfly

The eggs are laid on the upper surface of the tender leaves and shots.

Caterpillar of Common Mormon Butterfly

First instars of the caterpillar look likes to bird-drops. Pupas are varid in colurs from green to yellow and dry leaves' colour.

Caterpillar of Common Mormon Butterfly

Pupa of Common Mormon Butterfly
Pupa of Common Mormon Butterfly


Larva host plants: Citrus sp. Murraya koeigii, M. paniculata, Glycosmis arborea etc.

1 comment:

Valerie said...

I am a huge butterfly lover and would like to know more about the activities to conserve them.the pictures are very good and we need to spread more awareness in India where butterflies come from and how to preserve them. I love your pics but I feel there could be a little more in terms of content; like mating behaviour, etc

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