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.
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 an endemic butterfly of Western Ghats is a similar species to the Common Mormon.
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.
The eggs are laid on the upper surface of the tender leaves and shots.
First instars of the caterpillar look likes to bird-drops. Pupas are varid in colurs from green to yellow and dry leaves' colour.
Larva host plants: Citrus sp. Murraya koeigii, M. paniculata, Glycosmis arborea etc.
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 an endemic butterfly of Western Ghats is a similar species to the Common Mormon.
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.
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| Pupa of Common Mormon Butterfly |
Larva host plants: Citrus sp. Murraya koeigii, M. paniculata, Glycosmis arborea etc.
1 comment:
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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