Purple Crow Butterfly
Common NamePurple Crow Butterfly
Scientific NameEuploea mulciber
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)85
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, white, purple
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, open woodlands, gardens, and disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouth and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and parts of southern China
Host PlantsNerium oleander, Parsonsia, Ficus
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, with seasonal peaks
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are typically striped and feed on the host foliage. The pupa is a metallic-looking chrysalis, often green or golden.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic dark wings with white spots, especially the row of submarginal spots and larger discal spots on the forewing. The purplish-blue sheen, though not always obvious, is a key feature, and males have a distinct brand on the hindwing.
Description
A medium to large butterfly with dark brown to black wings, often displaying a purplish-blue iridescence. The wings feature a series of white spots along the margins and larger white patches on the forewings.
