Great Mormon (Papilio memnon)

Caterpillar

The mature larva is green to yellowish green, with three outward to inward white marks from the middle to the end of the body with a pattern that bears a very strong resemblance to the host plant leaves. The head part bear two large, black eye-marks to scare away predators.

Pupa

The chrysalis is bright green as well, and divided into segments, giving it a leaf-like look. It stays hung from the branch of the host plant with a silken thread.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Distinctly present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, the dorsal side of the males display a deep blue to black coloration, and may or may not bear the red streaks at the base of the cell on the forewings. The females’ forewings have sepia as the ground color with streaks in greyish white. The third part of the cell at the base is red, with an outward touch of white. The upper part of the hindwing is bluish black with five to seven white to yellow disc-like patches. When the wings are closed, both wing bases show a red coloration with the hind wings having a red tornal patch, each. The above are the most common and typical forms of the sexes known as ‘agenor’. However, this species has four male and many female forms (including butlerianus, alcanor, and polymnestoroides), with at least twenty-six female forms being reported.

Average wingspan: 120 to 150 mm (4.7 to 5.9 in)

Flight pattern: Slow, yet erratic

Eggs

Yellowish white in color, and laid singly, one at a time on the host plant leaves