Common Mime

Scientific Name
Papilio clytia
LINNAEUS, 1758
Specie in
Family
Common Mime
Papilio clytia form dissimilis, Ultapani, Assam, India – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

There are about 60 species of Papilio in the Oriental region, and 210 species worldwide.

In common with other members of the genus, clytia is palatable to insectivorous birds and in order to protect itself from predation it has evolved its appearance to become superficially very similar to an unpalatable species. Papilio clytia produces several morphs, including ‘janus’ which mimics the Common Crow Euploea core; form ‘papone’ which mimics Euploea doubledayi; and ‘dissimilis’ which is a mimic of the Tiger butterflies Parantica and Tirumala. At some sites including Ultapani in Assam papone and dissimilis often fly side by side.

Papilio clytia occurs in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippines, Sulawesi, and Timor.

Papilio clytia form papone, Ultapani, Assam, India - Adrian Hoskins
Papilio clytia form papone, Ultapani, Assam, India – Adrian Hoskins

Habitats

This species is found in rainforest at elevations between sea level and about 800m.

Lifecycle

The larval foodplants include Cinnamomum, Litsea and Alseodaphne ( Lauraceae ).

Papilio clytia form papone, Ultapani, Assam, India - Adrian Hoskins
Papilio clytia form papone, Ultapani, Assam, India – Adrian Hoskins

Adult behaviour

Males of all morphs commonly imbibe mineralised moisture from wet ground. They are sometimes encountered singly, but more often several will be present in mixed aggregations of Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Danainae.

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Papilio clytia
by
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family
SubFamily
PAPILIONINAE
Tribe
PAPILIONINI
SubTribe
N/A

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