All about it - Common Mormon

This, is the first butterfly featured in 'all about it' and I had worked

to collect the photographs and info. This butterfly is the common

mormon. It is seen common in nature reserves, but can be spotted in

urban parks as often. The males fly much faster than females and are

more active. They may come down to rest with the wings spread out.

A male common mormon resting on its host plant, the Indian curry

plant.

Males are also fond of puddling on damp ground, and may be quite

tame to the observer. They may puddle for a second, or maybe for

an hour, based on the medium, and traffic.

The females, which seem to be less common than males, can be

observed when feeding on flowers. They mimic the distasteful

common rose, and like bougainvilleas...

And other flashy blooms...

Besides the curry plant, the mormon breeds on many citrus plants.

These are the lime, pomelo, and discarded 'kumquat' plants after the

Chinese New Year.

The common mormon is often attracted to Chinese violets growing

at forest fringes, however, they do not land to feed on the nectar.

Like other swallowtails, they only use their forewings when hovering

and flying.