Great Mormon

The Great Mormon butterfly, Papilio memnon, is a south-Asian butterfly native to swallowtail family having 13 subspecies and having a wingspan of 105-130mm. These mud-puddling butterflies are found in forest clearings flying up to 2 to 4 meters above the ground and are seen amongst human habitation. Larvae of the great Mormon feed on the citrus species, which grows in most parts of Asia and the adults lay single eggs on the underside of leaves. The remarkable polymorphic (having many forms) nature of P. Memnon is what makes these species unique. Having nearly twenty-six female form being reported, the great Mormon has been studied broadly for understanding the genetic basis for polymorphy and Batesian mimicry(mimicry in which an edible animal is protected by its resemblance to one avoided by predators)