Common Rose is one of the most beautiful swallow tail
butterflies to be found in India.
With a wingspan of 80 -110 mm it is also a large butterfly. It is black in
color with a crimson body and has a large white area on its hind wings. The
outer margin of its hind wings has a series of deep red or brownish red spots.
Both sexes of this butterfly species look alike.
Crimson Rose Butterfly
Crimson rose and Malabar rose are two species that look
alike the Common rose. But crimson rose is larger, brighter and it also has two
white central bands on its fore wings. And Malabar rose has a much larger white
patch on its hid wings and is only found in southern and central western ghats.
The stichius form of the Common mormon female mimics Common rose.
Flight
Flight of the common rose butterfly is slow but straight and
long sustained, usually flies at a height of 3 – 4 meters from the ground but
when traveling long distances it attains heights up to 10 – 15 meters.
Habits
Common rose butterfly is fond of flowers especially of
Lantana, Cleorodendron, Cosmos, Zinnia etc. It occasionally visits wet soil
patches, baskes with its wings spread out.
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| Newly Emerged Common Rose Butterfly |
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| Newly emerged common rose butterfly |
Caterpillar
Caterpillar of common rose butterfly is velvety maroon in
color and has a white band on its abdominal segments. It is bulky, has fleshy
protuberances on the body and moves very slowly. Caterpillars are very similar
to that of Southern Birdwing but smaller and
with out pale ash markings on the body.
Pupa
Pupa of common rose butterfly is brownish in color, has a
large flat semi circular projections on the back of abdomen, thorax and head.
It is usually supported by a body band which is attached to the stick where it
hangs.
Larval Host Plants
Aristolochia indica, Aristolochia tagala, Aristolochia bracteolate
and Thottea siliquosa (Aristolochiaceae).
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