Thursday, May 10, 2012

Crimson Rose - Pachlipta hector Linnaeus

 
Crimson Rose is one among the larger varieties of butterflies found in India. It is a large butterfly with glossy black color and has two broad white bands on its fore wings and bright crimson spots on the tailed hind wings which help identify the species.

Crimson Rose  Butterfly - Pachlipta hector Linnaeus
 Crimson Rose Butterfly

 A very similar species to Crimson Rose butterfly is the Common Rose; but they lack the white bands on their forewings and have elongated white spots on their hind wing. The romulus form of Common Mormon female is a mimic of Crimson Rose butterfly but is smaller in size, black in color and have duller shades.

Flight

Crimson Rose has a slow, fluttering but steady flight and flies faster, stronger and higher.

Habits

Readily visits nectar sources like Lantana, Cleorodendron s. etc. Basks with wings spread flat. Have strong migrational instincts.

 Wingspan :- 90 -110mm.

Caterpillar

Caterpillar of Crimson Rose butterfly is purplish black or blackish brown with a black head and orange red tuercles, and a transverse yellowish white band on segments 6 to 8 is very prominent.

Caterpillar of  Crimson Rose  Butterfly
 Caterpillar of Crimson Rose Butterfly

Pupa

Pupa of Crimson Rose butterfly is pinkish brown with darker, expanded wing cases. The wing like expansion on the abdomen is distinctive.

Larval Host Plants
The romulus form of Common Mormon female mimicking Crimson Rose Butterfly Laying Eggs
The romulus form of Common Mormon female mimicking Crimson Rose Butterfly Laying Eggs

Aristolochia indica, Aristolochia tagla, Aristolochia bracteolate and Thottea siliquosa (Aristolochiaceae).

No comments:

Popular Posts