Common Mormon

Description:

Jet black butterfly with row of white spots along the middle part of hindwing and large about 90–100 mm. This is the female form of stichius.

Habitat:

The common Mormon prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in orchards of its foodplants—oranges and limes. It is most common in the monsoon and post-monsoon months.

Notes:

This female form of the common Mormon mimics the common rose very closely. This is the commonest form wherever the common rose flies.