Papilio memnon lowii

(Druce, 1873)

Vernacular names
English : Great mormon
French : Grand mormon

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Papilionidae
Notes : Up to 18 other subspecies known.

Identification
Wingspan up to 15 cm. Males are entirely black with metallic blue sheen and ashy area on hindwing. Females have clear forewings. Many different forms known, some with tails for both sexes or with more or less white on hindwings. This species’ hindwings are very white with a slight blueish tinge.

Range and habitat
The species ranges from India and Sri Lanka to south China, south to Malaysia and Indonesia to Lesser Sundas. Subspecies found Borneo and Palawan. Mostly occurs in forest clearings and near cultivated areas, up to 2100 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is very common in its range. Cultivation of citrus plant throughout south-east Asia has certainly helped ensuring stability of populations.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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