Great Mormon

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.
The Common Clubtail Swallowtail Butterfly, Losaria coon coon, (Papilionidae) - male Geotagged,Great Mormon,Indonesia,Papilio memnon,Spring

Appearance

The butterfly is large with a 120 to 150 millimetres 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.
The great Mormon, Papilio memnon (Papilionidae) Geotagged,Great Mormon,Indonesia,Papilio memnon,Summer

Status

This species is common and not threatened. The cultivation of citrus all over Southern Asia provides an abundance of food plants.
Great Mormon Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio memnon, (Papilionidae) - female "sucking nectar" Geotagged,Great Mormon,Indonesia,Papilio memnon,Summer

Behavior

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 2 to 4 metres 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.The larva resembles that of the common Mormon, being green with whitish markings. It is heavily parasitised.
Great Mormon Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio memnon form-achates, (Papilionidae) - female Fall,Geotagged,Great Mormon,Indonesia,Papilio memnon

Habitat

This species flies up to 2,100 metres in the Himalayas, but is most common at low elevations.

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