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Common Mormon ♂
Papilio polytes
10.7309, 122.541
Field Notes
Description:
Large, black and white butterfly, this one is a male. Compared to females https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1348953815 , the males are less colorful. The dorsal side of the hind and forewing is mostly black but with a neat row of white spots around the bottom area, the head is also spotted. The ventral side is more vibrant, with more white spots mostly on the forewing, also with oranges and red. When I shined light on its wings, thousands of bright scales are exposed. This species is known to mimic other Papilio species that are unpalatable for most predators.
Habitat:
Found it on a ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), I spotted it at dusk so it was just about to rest. It is widespread throughout South, Southeast and some parts of East Asia. They prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in orchards of its food plants—oranges and limes. It is most common in the monsoon and post-monsoon months.
Notes:
I've made several spottings of the same species in their different life stages:
Caterpillar (Younger stage)
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1283249364
Caterpillar (Older stage)
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/786070411
Chrysalis
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/531158461
Female
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1348953815
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