Crimson Rose

Appearance

Male Upperside black. Fore wing with a broad white interrupted band from the subcostal nervure opposite the origin of veins 10 and 11, extended obliquely to the tornus, and a second short pre-apical similar band; both bands composed of detached irregularly indented broad streaks in the interspaces. Hind wing with a diseal posteriorly strongly curved series of seven crimson spots followed by a subterminal series of crimson lunules. Cilia black alternated with white. Underside: fore whig dull brownish black, hind wing black; markings as on the npporsido, but the crimson spots and crescentic markings on the hind wing larger. Antennae, thorax and abdomen abovo at base, black; head and rest of the abdomen bright crimson; beneath: iho palpi, the sides of the thorax and abdomen crimson.

Female. Similar, the discal series of spots and subterminal lunules much duller, pale crimson irrorated with black scales; in some specimens the anterior spots and lunules almost white barely tinged with crimson; abdomen above with the black colour extended further towards the apex.

No geographic races have been described.

Naming

In common with other early naturalists Liinaeus followed the classical tradition. The name honours the Greek hero Hector.

Status

Generally common and not known to be threatened. It is common all along the Western Ghats up to Maharashtra but rare in Gujarat. It is considered to be very rare in the Amphrodog. Protected by law in India.

Behavior

Higher numbers of them are seen during August–November and also during April–June. They breed up to 6–7 times in the year and it has been found to take only 39–47 days from egg to adult.

Habitat

This butterfly is at home both in jungle and in open country. During the dry season, it will be found up to 8000 feet in South India, but it is found all the year round at lower elevations.

Reproduction

Similar to those of the Common Rose. The eggs hatch in seven days.

Food

The larvae of the species breed on various species of ''Aristolochia'' including ''Aristolochia indica'', ''Aristolochia bracteolata'', and ''Thottea siliquosa''. The species is unpalatable as they sequester chemical compounds in their larval stages including aristolochic acid from the host plants.

Migration

The most striking aspect aspect of the butterflies behaviour is its strong migratory tendencies. During the peak of its season, several thousands of Crimson Roses can be found congregating and then they begin migrating to other areas.

In the ''Entomologist's Monthly Magazine'', 1880, p. 276, Mr. R. S. Eaton notes that in Bombay this butterfly roosted in great numbers together, however Bingham notes that in the Western Ghats between Vengurla and Belgaum, where the butterfly occurred in some numbers and had the habit of roosting in company on twigs of some thorny shrub, but never saw more than ''a score or so together''.