Scarlet mormon

Spotted these mating butterflies at Butterfly World today but no idea what species they are. Shame I couldn't get a top view. Possibly one of the South American ones??

comments (14)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I had the same impression to think of a South American butterfly. My guess would be a Heliconiinae (Longwings). Posted 7 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  I thought that too but couldn't find ones with these markings. Found lots of photos similar, but all described as 'Red & Black butterfly'! Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    It could be because I had a very long day, but I'm struggling to make optical sense of this image. I see two butterflies with undersides facing us. How come the top one shows the top side of one of the wings, is it curled up that much?
    
    In any case it may be difficult or even impossible to identify. This is one of my go-to places for butterflies in the Americas:
    http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/index.htm Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Claire Hamilton
      
      Lion
      
      I'm struggling myself but it looks like it is actually the undersides of the top ones wings showing. I shall check out the link, thanks. Posted 7 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Have you compared it to Papilio memnon? There are a whole bunch of subspecies of Great Mormons. Or, maybe another species in that genus?
Posted 7 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Actually yes, I was looking at the Mormons but not entirely sure which it could be. Thank you for confirming my suspicions, really hate trying to identify anything insecty! Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    There is so much variation with the mormon butterflies - maybe you could ask the people at Butterfly World? Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Is this the place: http://www.butterfly-world.co.uk/gallery-our-butterflies/ Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Claire Hamilton
        
        Lion
        
        No, this one is on the mainland, looks good though! Posted 7 years ago
    3. Claire Hamilton
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, I am kicking myself for not asking at the time. They did have a guide book which could be bought but I didn't get one. Unfortunately they do not list their species anywhere. I shall probably go again so I shall ask then, at least then I can be sure of a correct ID. Posted 7 years ago
    4. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Good luck :) Posted 7 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

A big thank you to Wildflower who emailed me a positive ID! :) Posted 7 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

Still a great and colorful shot Claire Posted 5 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Paul! Posted 5 years ago

The Scarlet Mormon

''Papilio rumanzovia'', the scarlet Mormon or red Mormon, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the Philippines but has been recorded as a vagrant to southern Taiwan.

The species was named by Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz after Nicholas Rumanzow, chancellor of the Russian Empire. It has traditionally been regarded as a species of its own rather than a subspecies of ''Papilio deiphobus'', but the former treatment is still preferred by some.

The wingspan.. more

Info 1 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Claire Hamilton