Common Mormon Butterfly

One of the most interesting butterflies in India, Common Mormon (Papilio polytes polytes) is found in open woods and gardens at low elevations. It mostly lives in the gardens, fields cropped with cur-leaf.

This black bodied swallowtail insect belongs to the species Papilio. The female can be seen in three different colors, one is similar to the male and other two has common rose and the crimson rose color. The male can fly very fast compared to female. Common Mormon is considered as a good specimen for genetic studies. It is fond of the flowers of dividivi, acasias and cassia.