Papilio memnon
Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms. Range. Its range includes north-eastern India (including Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland), Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands (stragglers only), western, southern and eastern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, southern Japan including Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, Nias, Batu, Simeulue, Bangka, Java, Kalimantan and the Lesser Sunda Islands). Status. This species is common and not threatened . The cultivation of citrus all over Southern Asia provides an abundance of food plants. Description and polymorphy. The butterfly is large with a span. It has four male and many female forms, the females being highly polymorphic and many of them being mimics of unpalatable butterflies. This species has been studied extensively for understanding the genetic basis for polymorphy and Batesian mimicry. As many as twenty-six female forms are reported. Habitat. This species flies up to in the Himalayas, but is most common at low elevations. Behaviour. This butterfly is found in forest clearings. It is very common and  is also seen amongst human habitation. It visits flowers of "Poinsettia", "Jasminum", "Lantana", "Canna" and "Salvia". It usually flies above the ground. The butterfly is known to mud-puddle. The males are much more common than females. The female forms "butlerianus" and "alcanor" are especially uncommon. Life cycle. The larva resembles that of the common Mormon ("P. polytes"), being green with whitish markings. It is heavily parasitised.