Butterflies are the candies of nature. They not only appear beautiful, but also help the ecology – by pollinating flowers and ensuring continuity to the nature’s cycle.
The butterfly featured here is Blue Mormon, Papilio polymnestor. A large swallowtail butterfly (wing-span of 12~14 cms) commonly found in South of India and Sri Lanka. (Australasia / IndoMalaya ecozone). They are recorded as pollinators of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).
Blue Mormons, the second largest and commonly sighted butterfly in India occur through the year, most prolific after rains during Sept~Nov. These butterflies – with rich velvety black wings, large light blue / white hindwings with spots – are found in gardens, landscapes and orchards with Citrus and Murraya trees – most common in heavy rainfall areas such as rainforests; also found woody urban spaces due to availability Larval host plants. Flowers like Ixora, Jasmine, Foxglove and Indian atlantia are a few favourites. They fly rapidly in unidirection hopping and changing course abruptly.
Blue Mormon is the State Butterfly of Maharashtra – the first such butterfly to be accorded such status, and the first state in India to declare one such, on June 22, 2015.
Female mormons have a light red stripe near its neck, the only differentiator between the genders. These are one of the butterflies known for mud-puddling (suck nutrients out of mud/soil). It was identified in 1775 by Cramer.
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