Indian Common Crow

Euploea core core (Cramer, 1780)



SPECIES DETAILS
Malayalam Name:    അരളിശലഭം / കാക്കപൂമ്പാറ്റ
Tamil Name:
Sub Family:   Danainae
Family:    Nymphalidae( Brush footed butterflies)
Super family: Papilionoidae (Butterflies)
Order:    Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)

DISTRIBUTION:  
A common species found in South Asia to Australia. The Sub species Euploea sylvester coreta ( Indian Common Crow) is found in  Western Ghats and in South India.

STATUS: 
    Very Common.

HABITAT: 
    Common in all habitats 

HABIT:
It is a non-palatable butterfly due sequestration of poisonous alkaloids in theire body which is obtained from the food plants. The flight is slow, smooth and sailing. Spend more time in same bunch of flowers. Congregate on Crotolaria obtusa and Heliotropium indicum for replenishing pheromones to attract females. 

MIMICS:
The Brown King Crow, Double Branded Black Crow and females of Greate Egg Fly and Clythia form of Common Mime mimics the Common Crow butterflies.

TYPICAL IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
    The common crow is a glossy-black butterfly with brown undersides with white markings along the outer margins of both wings. The wingspan is about 8–9 cm and the body has prominent white spots. The male has a velvety black brand located near the rear edge on the upperside of the forewing. On the underside there is a white streak in the same location. This white streak is present in both male and female. In its natural position this streak is hidden behind the hindwing and can be seen only when the butterfly is captured and observed closely



HOST PLANTS:
Shrubs and trees of Apocyanacea, Moracea and Asclepidiaces family having poisonous milky latex. 
Calotropis gigantea ( Erukku), Neerium indicum, Neerium oliander(Arali), Thevetia peruviana (Manja Arali), Hemidesmus indica (Naruneedi), Ficus bengalensis (Peraal), Ficus religiosa (Arayaal) etc are common host plants.

LIFE CYCLE:
    Total life period is 30-60 days. upto 10 generation annually.

1.  Egg: 
    The dome shaped light yellowish eggs are laid singly on the upper surfaces of tender leaves. The newly laid egg is spherical and light green but darkens over time to orange yellow. The egg hatches in 4-5 days.


2. Catterpillers.

First instar larvae:Black head and yellowish green body. instar period 2-3 daysin summer and 6-8 days in winter and grows upto 4-5 mm in length.
 

Second Instar Larvae: Colour become olive green and with 4 fleshy tentacles. instar period 2-3 days and in winter the period will prolong. It grows double the size upto 17-19 mm in length.
markings on the anterior, middle and posterior body segments

Third Instar Larvae:  Become brown and with white crossbars on dorsal side.Yellowish path with four black spots on lateral side. It grows upto 21-23 mm in length.


Fourth Instar Larvae: Colour changes to dark brown with white cross bar, yellow patch become brighter. and grows upto 25-28mm in length. 


Fifth Instar Larvae: 
  Colour changes to grey,  Larvae grows upto 43-45 mm in length. 



3. Pupation: 

    Pupa measure about 36-38 mm, greenish in colour which turns to brown. Total pupation period is 13-14 days in summer and 24-25 days in winter.


Pupa
4. MORE IMAGES







         
    

കേരള വനം വന്യജീവി വകുപ്പ്  
മാങ്കുളം ഡിവിഷൻ


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