Common Mormon
Common NameCommon Mormon
Scientific NamePapilio polytes
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)90
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsblack, white, red
HabitatGardens, open country, forest edges, urban areas
Geographic RangeSouth and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia
Host PlantsCitrus spp., Murraya koenigii, Aegle marmelos
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple generations
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are initially bird-dropping mimics, then turn green with prominent false eyespots. Pupation occurs in a camouflaged chrysalis, leading to multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsMales are distinct with their black and white hindwing band. Females are more variable due to mimicry, but the overall swallowtail shape and strong flight are characteristic. The caterpillar is bright green with large, black-ringed false eyespots on its thorax.
Description
The Common Mormon is a medium-to-large swallowtail butterfly. Males are black with a prominent white band of spots on the hindwings, while females are polymorphic, often mimicking other unpalatable swallowtails with varying patterns of black, white, and red. The provided image shows its green caterpillar with false eyespots.
