Papilio memnon memnon

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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 hindwings with white stripes on veins. Females have clear forewings with red shoulders. Hindwings with conspicuous white patch covering many cells. Dark edges.

Range and habitat
The species ranges from India and Sri Lanka to south China, south to Malaysia and Indonesia to Lesser Sundas. Subspecies found in Java. 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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