Common Castor Butterfly
Common NameCommon Castor Butterfly
Scientific NameAriadne merione
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyBiblidinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsorange, brown, black
HabitatOpen forests, scrubland, gardens, plains
Geographic RangeSouth Asia, Southeast Asia
Host PlantsRicinus communis, Tragia involucrata
Flight PeriodYear-round (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are spiny and feed on leaves, while pupae are typically green or brown and suspended head-down.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic wavy, 'castor-leaf' like pattern on the wings and the small white dots on the upper forewing, which are key identifiers for this species.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with a distinctive wavy pattern of orange-brown and dark brown lines across its wings, often featuring small white spots near the forewing apex.
