Indian Blue Mormon

August 09, 2023

Papilio polymnestor polymnestor Cramer, [1775] കൃഷ്ണശലഭം

SPECIES DETAILS

Common English Name:   Indian Blue Mormon
Malayalam Name:   കൃഷ്ണശലഭം. Krisha Salabham
Tamil Name:
Scientific Name:   Papilio polymnestor polymnestor Cramer, [1775]
Sub Family:   Papilioninae
Family:   Papilionidae
Order: Lepidoptera

DISTRIBUTION:

The species found in India,Sri Lanka, Myanmar. The Sub species Papilio polymnestor polymnestor is found in Western Ghats as far north as Gujarat and in South India.

STATUS:

Common.State butterfly of Maharashtra.

HABITAT:

Common in heavy rainfall areas, such as Evergreen and Semi-evergreen forests. It is also common in Deciduous forests and wooded urban areas, primarily due to the cultivation of its host plants i.e. the Citrus species.

HABIT:

This butterfly frequents forest paths and streams.The flight is rapid, unidirectional and frequently changes course, hopping up and down in its flight path. The male is fond of sun and avoids the shade. It frequents flowers especially of Mussaenda frondosa, Ixora coccinea, Hibiscus species, Jasminum species etc. Periodically raids thicker forest patches with the host plants like Atalantia species in search of females to mate with. Sun basking, mud puddling visit to animal droppings are common.

TYPICAL IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Large tailless Black butterfly with wingspan 10-12 cm and with pale blue colours. Seasonally red spot near the base of upperside of forewing is seen both in male and female. male is bigger and shinnier than female.

HOST PLANTS:

Shrubs and trees of Rutaceae family.

Atlantia racemosa, Atlantia wightii. Glycosmis pentaphylla (പാണൽ), Melicope linu-ankenda (കനല), Murraya paniculata (കാട്ടു കറിവേപ്പ്), Citrus lemon (നാരകം) ,Citrus grandis, Murraya koeniji (കറിവേപ്പ്). Zanthoxylum rhetsa (മുള്ളിലം)

LIFE CYCLE:

1. Egg:

The eggs are laid singly on the upper surfaces of the leaves on rutaceous plants at ten feet or so above the ground. The newly laid egg is spherical and light green but darkens over time to orange yellow. The egg hatches in 4-5 days.

Single egg {photo credit: Pkgmohan}

2. Catterpillers.

The newborn caterpillar makes the eggshell its first meal and then rests on a silken bed that it spins for itself near the edge of a leaf. The little caterpillar mimics a bird dropping with its olive green body and white uric acid-like markings. The sheen enhances its resemblance to fresh bird dropping. While small in size, this camouflage permits the caterpillar to rest on the centre of a leaf and nibble around the edges. Later its growing size forces it to keep to twigs and the undersides of leaves except when it is feeding on leaves. It moves slowly and haltingly. It has a unique habit of securing its balance by weaving silk on the substratum. Total larval period is 21-25 days.

First instar larvae: instar period 3 days and grows upto 5-6 mm in length.

First instar Larva (photocredit: Brijesh Pookottor)

Second Instar Larvae: instar period 3 days and grows upto 17-19 mm in length.Body is bright greenish yellow with distinct white markings on anterior, middle and posterior segments.

2nd Instar Larva (photocredit: Brijesh Pookottor)

Third Instar Larvae: Look like 2nd instar except the size and grows upto 24-26 mm in length.

Fourth Instar Larvae: Colour changes to bright yellow and grows upto 32-35 mm in length.

Fifth Instar Larvae:

Larvae rows upto 43-45 mm in length. Bright green colour with eye spot on thorasic region and transverse pale blue bands in abdominal segments. Pale red osemeterium also present just behind the head which erect on disturbation.