Insect · GBIF taxon 1938088
Common Mormon
Papilio polytesAlso known as Common Mormon Swallowtail
Common Mormons are medium-sized swallowtail butterflies celebrated for the remarkable evolutionary mimicry displayed by females, who take on three distinct wing patterns to imitate toxic species. While males are consistently black with a band of white spots, females can look like the toxic Common Rose or Crimson Rose to fool hungry birds. These active fliers are a frequent sight in Asian gardens, fluttering restlessly even while sipping nectar from flowers.
PolymorphicMimicryDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Citrus leaves
- Curry tree leaves
- Flower nectar
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Spiders
- Praying mantises
ThreatsPesticide use in citrus orchards and urban development
HabitatsGardens, agricultural fields, open forests, and urban parks
Life span3 to 4 weeks as an adult
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPapilionidae
- SpeciesPapilio polytes
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Host Plants: Plant citrus or curry leaf trees to attract egg-laying females to your garden.
- Puddle Clubbing: Look for males gathering on damp soil or sand to drink mineral-rich water.
- Observation: Approach slowly when they are feeding on nectar flowers, as they are easily startled.
Mimicry Model (c) Charles Lam, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Mimicry Model 
Close Relative Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative pjt56 --- If you use the picture outside Wikipedia I would appreciate a short e-mail to pjt56@gmx.net / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
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