Common Mormon

Common Mormon

Papilio polytes stichius ( Hubner) PAPILIONIDAE

Adult

Mimics the common rose, Pachliopta aristolochiae aristolochiae, but it is black bodied butterfly with a prominent tail. Upperside FW with a broad oblique white band and a white patch beyond the apex of the cell. HW with 2-6 elongate white spots in the disc and 1 in the apex of cell, marginal series of pale red spots and sub marginal series of red lunules ( much redder than in P. aristolochiae). Underside similar to the upperside. HW with a complete series of outer marginal spots with the anterior ones white. Wingspan 90-100mm.