Papilio polytes 3625322 222877844 2008-07-01T15:31:41Z Jmgarg1 5000468 added pictures {{Taxobox | name = Common Mormon | image = RN003_Papilio_polytes_male.jpg | image_width = 300px | image_caption = Common Mormon- Male- seen basking in typical stance | regnum = [[Animalia]] | phylum = [[Arthropoda]] | classis = [[Insecta]] | ordo = [[Lepidoptera]] | familia = [[Papilionidae]] | subfamilia = [[Papilioninae]] | genus = ''[[Papilio]]'' | species = '''''P. polytes''''' | binomial = ''Papilio polytes'' | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linneaus]], 1758) }} The '''Common Mormon''' ''Papilio polytes'' is a common species of [[swallowtail]] [[butterfly]] widely distributed across [[Asia]]. This butterfly is known for the [[Mimic|mimicry]] displayed by the numerous forms of its females which mimic [[inedible]] Red-bodied Swallowtails, such as the [[Pachliopta aristolochiae|Common Rose]] and the [[Pachliopta hector|Crimson Rose]]. == Names == The common name is an allusion to the [[polygamy]] formerly practiced by members of the [[Mormon]] sect according to Harish Gaonkar, of the [[Natural History Museum]] in [[London]]:<ref>[http://reimangardens.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=5677&newsID=191 Asian Mormon Butterflies] Accessed November 2006</ref> {{quote|...the origins of giving common English names to organisms, particularly butterflies for tropical species started in India around the mid 19th century ... The naming of Mormons evolved slowly. I think the first to get such a name was the Common Mormon (''Papilio polytes''), because it had three different females, a fact that could only have been observed in the field, and this they did in India. The name obviously reflected the ... Mormon sect in America, which as we know, practiced polygamy.}} The scientific name is constructed from the Latin word for butterfly, ''papilio'', and the Greek word for many, ''poly''.<ref>[http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/documents/papiliopolytes_052305105434.pdf Papilio polytes PDF]</ref> ==Range== [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], southern and western [[China]] (including [[Hainan]] ([[Guangdong]] province), [[Taiwan]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Japan]] ([[Ryukyu Islands]]), [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]], [[Kampuchea]], [[Andamans]], [[Nicobars]], Eastern and [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Brunei]] and [[Indonesia]] (except [[Moluccas]] and [[Irian Jaya]]), [[Philippines]], [[Northern Marianas]] ([[Saipan]]). ==Similar species== [[Image:Pandiyana_aristolochiae_polytes_helenus.png|thumb|left]] ==Status== Very common. Not threatened. <ref>Collins, N.M. & Morris, M.G. (1985) Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World. IUCN. ISBN 2-88032-603-6</ref> ==Description== Jet black butterfly with row of white spots along the middle part of hindwing. 90-100 mm. ===Male=== [[Image:Common Mormon I.jpg|right|thumb|Common Mormon ''Papilio polytes'' (Male)]] The male has one morph only. It is a dark-coloured swallow-tailed butterfly. The upper [[forewing]] has a series of white spots decreasing in size towards the apex. The upper [[hindwing]] has a complete discal band of elongated white spots. It may or may not have marginal red crescents. The males are smaller in size than the females. ===Female=== The female of the Common Mormon is [[Polymorphism (biology)|polymorphic]]. In [[South Asia]], it has three forms or [[Morph (zoology)|morph]]s. These are as follows :- <div style="float:left;width:260px;"> [[Image:Vv cm stichius 2.jpg|thumb|240px|left|female form '''stichius''' just emerged]] [[Image:TS008 Papilio polytes female form romulus.jpg|thumb|240px|left|female form '''romulus''']] </div> <br> ====Form ''cyrus''==== [[Image:Common Mormon I2 IMG 4124.jpg|thumb|Common Mormon ''Papilio polytes'' (Male & Female- ''cyrus'')]] This form is similar to the male, differing in that it always has strongly marked red crescents. It is the least common of the three forms. It is normally abundant where the [[Pachliopta aristolochiae|Common Rose]] or [[Pachliopta hector|Crimson Rose]] do not occur, such as in [[Himachal Pradesh]] around [[Shimla]]; although a few specimens of form ''romulus'' have also been caught alongside. (See the taxobox image.) ====Form ''stichius''==== [[Image:Common Mormon I IMG 8360.jpg|thumb|Common Mormon ''Papilio polytes'' (Female ''stichius'')]] This female form of the Common Mormon [[mimic]]s the [[Pachliopta aristolochiae|Common Rose]] very closely. This is the commonest form wherever the [[Pachliopta aristolochiae|Common Rose]] flies. ====Form ''romulus''==== This female form [[mimic]]s the [[Pachliopta hector|Crimson Rose]] and is common over its range. It is not such a close mimic as the previous form being duller than its model, the [[Pachliopta hector|Crimson Rose]]. It is easy to differentiate the mimics from models by the colour of their body - the models are red-bodied and the mimics are black-bodied. ====Form ''sakontala''==== Subhimalayan distribution. Male upperside dull, somewhat brownish black. Fore wing very sparingly irrorated with yellowish scales, that form ill-defined cellular and internervnlar streaks. Hind wing with a discal series of very diffuse greenish-white spots in interspaces 1 to 7 and an ill-defined tornal reddish lunule; the spots in interspaces 5 and 6 are the most diffuse, and beyond the whole series there is a postdiscal slight irroration of whitish scales. Underside: fore wing opaque dark brown, the internervular streaks broader, more prominent than on the upperside. Hindwing black; the discal series of elongate spots dingy white, larger and more clearly defiued than on the upperside, followed by a large tornal more or less vermilion-red spot with a black centre and a subterminal series of similarly-coloured lunules; the discal spot in interspace 2 bordered outwardly by an outwardly-curved lunule. Cilia black alternated with white. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen black. Female unknown.<ref name="bingham">Bingham, C. T. 1907. Fauna of British India. Butterflies. Volume 2</ref> ===Gynandromorphs=== Interestingly, this species has considerable genetic variability and is known to produce [[Gynandromorphism|gynandromorph]]s, genetic aberrations which are part male and part female. ==Mimicry== [[Image:TS002 Pachliopta hector.jpg|thumb|240px|right|'''Crimson Rose'''. Compare with form '''Romulus''']] In India, this butterfly is considered as the classic example of [[Mimic|Batesian Mimicry]] in which edible species resemble unpalatable butterflies in order to escape being eaten by predators. The populations of the mimicking morphs of the Common Mormon are much smaller than that of their models - the Common or Crimson Rose. This is in order to allow first time predators a much greater chance of preying upon the unpalatable model in the first instance and thus learning of their inedibility. Larger populations of mimics could result in the edible Common Mormon mimics being sampled the first time by predators. If this should happen, the predator may not realise that butterflies of that colour and pattern are protected by the poisons they ingest; thus dramatically reducing the effectiveness of this scheme of protection. Interestingly in [[Sulawesi]], though the [[Pachliopta aristolochiae|Common Rose]] is abundant, the Common Mormon female morph which is found there, mimics a completely different butterfly, [[Pachliopta polyphontes]] (Boisduval, 1836). ==Habitat== The Common Mormon prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in [[orchard]]s of its foodplants - [[orange (fruit)|orange]]s and [[lime (fruit)|lime]]s. It is most common in the [[monsoon]] and post-monsoon months. ==Habits== [[Image:TS009 Papilio polytes female form romulus.jpg|thumb|240px|left|Common Mormon female form '''romulus''' seen laying an egg on ''Murraya paniculata''.]] The Common Mormon is fond of visiting [[flower]]s and its long [[proboscis]] permits it to feed from flowers having long [[Corolla (flower)|corollar]] tubes. It is particularly fond of ''[[Lantana]]'', ''[[Jatropha]]'', ''[[Ixora]]'' and ''[[Mussaenda]]'' in city gardens. In the forests, the Common Mormon remains low keeping within ten feet off the floor and its prefer to visit ''[[Asystasia]]'', ''[[Peristrophe]]'' and ''[[Jasminum]]'' for [[nectar]]. The male Common Mormon is a very common visitor to gardens where he will be seen hovering over flowers when the sun is shining. It is a restless insect, zig-zagging fast and straight close to the ground, settling down only when it halts to feed. The mimic female Mormons, ''stichius'' and ''romulus'' are very convincing mimics due to their habits, especially the flight patterns, being very similar to those of the Rose models. However, lacking the protection of inedibility, they tend to be more easily disturbed than the Roses and fly off erratically . Only the males take part in [[mud puddling]], usually in cool shaded spots rather than in open areas. They have been known to collect on [[saline]] soils to extract [[minerals]].<ref>Pola, M., García-París, M. 2005. Marine puddling in ''Papilio polytes'' (Lepidoptera Papilionidae). '''Florida Entomologist''' 88: 211-213</ref> Both sexes bask in the sun on shrubs close to the ground. They hold their wings flat against the substratum. The [[forewing]] is lowered to cover part of the [[hindwing]] and is a typical stance of the Common Mormon. The Common Mormons spend the night settled on vegetation with their wings held open, usually quite close to the ground. ==Lifecycle== [[Image:Vv cm mating.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Mating pair of common mormon]] The females perch on an exposed branch with wings open or closed. They are courted by the males who approach from behind and slowly and elegantly settle into position. ===Eggs=== The eggs are laid singly on top of the leaves. They are round and yellow to light-orange in colour. ===Caterpillar=== The first few instars of the caterpillar closely resemble those of the [[Papilio demoleus|Lime Butterfly]]. The later [[instar]]s become dark green in colour. There is a transverse black band with an eye-spot on each side on the 4th and 5th segments. This band, being darker and brighter than that of the [[Papilio demoleus|Lime Butterfly]] caterpillar, is the key distinction between the two. The Common Mormon [[caterpillar]] also has a black and white oblique band on the 8th and 9th segments, making it resemble that of the [[Princeps polymnestor|Blue Mormon]]. The deep red osmeterium and yellowish-brown head help distinguish it from the [[Princeps polymnestor|Blue Mormon]] caterpillar which has a greenish head. The Common Mormon caterpillars are heavily parasitised by [[Chalcid wasp]], with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each Mormon pupa. ===Pupa=== The [[pupa]] is located on underside of leafs and twigs. The pupa is light green and unmarked. It has two projections to the front on its head and also one on its thorax. It closely resembles the [[Papilio demoleus|Lime Butterfly]] caterpillar but can be distinguished by :- * the projections on the head which have a deeper indentation between them. * the abdomen which protrudes to a small point on each side. ===Photographs of Life cycle=== <gallery> Image:Vv cm early instar.jpg|Caterpillar - one of the first 3 instars Image:PICT1516.JPG|Different stage instars Image:CommonMormon cat sec.jpg |Caterpillar Image:Vv cm pre pupa.jpg|Caterpillar preparing to pupate Image:Commonmormon pupa.jpg|Pupa Image:Common mormon ad sec.jpg |Adult female form '''''stichius''''' Image:Commonmormon ad sec.jpg |Adult form '''''cyrus''''' </gallery> '''Click on any photograph thumbnail to see an enlarged image.''' ==Foodplants== The [[larva|larvae]] breed on various species of Family [[Rutaceae]] including :- * ''[[Aegle marmelos]]'' or Bael. * ''[[Atalantia racemosa]]''<ref>Kunte, K. 2006. Additions to known larval host plants of Indian butterflies. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 103(1):119-120</ref> * ''[[Citrus]]'' spp - ''C. aurantifolia'', ''C. grandis'', ''C. limon'', ''C. medica'', ''C. sinensis''. * ''[[Glycosmis arborea]]''. * ''[[Murraya koenigii]]'', Curry leaf. * ''[[Murraya paniculata]]''. ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Common Mormon- Papilio polytes (Female- stichius form) in Kolkata Isw IMG 0394.jpg| Female- ''stichius form'' in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. Image:Common Mormon- Papilio polytes (cyrus form)- Female awaiting mating with Male in Kolkata Iws IMG 0258 .jpg| Female- ''Cyrus form''- awaiting mating with Male in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. Image:COMMON MORMON Papilio polytes (Female- Romulus form) I IMG 0527.jpg| Female- ''Romulus form'' in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. Image:COMMON MORMON Papilio polytes (Female- Romulus form) I IMG 0526.jpg|Female- ''Romulus form'' in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. Image:Common Mormons PRA01.jpg|Male & Female at Kaniyanchal, [[Kerala]]. Image:Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)- Male in Hyderabad, AP W 217.jpg|Male in [[Hyderabad, India]]. Image:Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)- Male in Hyderabad, AP W 214.jpg|Male in [[Hyderabad, India]]. </gallery> ==References== <references/> ==Other reading== * Evans, W.H. (1932) The Identification of Indian Butterflies. (2nd Ed), Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India * Gay, Thomas; Kehimkar, Isaac & Punetha, J.C.(1992) Common Butterflies of India. WWF-India and Oxford University Press, Mumbai, India. * Haribal, Meena (1994) Butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya and their Natural History. * Kunte, Krushnamegh (2005) Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press. * Wynter-Blyth, M.A. (1957) Butterflies of the Indian Region, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India. ==See also== {{commons}} *[[Papilionidae]] *[[List of butterflies of India]] *[[List of butterflies of India (Papilionidae)]] [[Category: Fauna of Pakistan]] ==External links== * http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/documents/papiliopolytes_052305105434.pdf * http://www.srilankaninsects.net/Butterflies/MainPage/ButterfliesMain.htm (Butterflies of Sri Lanka). [[Category:Papilio]] [[Category:Butterflies of India]] [[ml:മോര്‍മണ്‍ ചിത്രശലഭം]] [[ja:シロオビアゲハ]] [[no:Papilio polytes]]