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Atrophaneura (Pachliopta) aristolochiae
The Common Rose is active much earlier in the mornings than most butterflies and remains so throughout the day until dusk. It flies just as readily in the shade as in the sun, and frequently visits flowers. In drier regions around noon, the butterfly rests in thickets to avoid the mid-day heat. Here, it will rest and ventures forth only in the late afternoon once again. In the evenings, it retires into wooded areas or thickets in search of dead twigs or small branches on which to roost. It prefers sites that are 10 to 15 feet above ground, below the canopy in trees with sufficient cover from the elements, where it frequently roosts in the company of others of its type, and, sometimes, in the company of the Crimson Rose. It flies high, slowly and often descends to nectar on flowers below. On such occasions it often dives down with its wings held back, and as it approaches the flower, the wings open up to provide deceleration. The butterfly primarily depends on motive thrust on the powerful flapping of its forewings while the hind wings act as a balancing and steering mechanism. This flying technique gives a rather unusual look to its flight and an observer is left with the impression that it is dragging itself through the air with only the assistance of its forewings.
An excellent generalist which has adapted to a range of habitats, the butterfly has been found in congregations at lower elevations. The Common Rose is found up to 8000 feet in the Western Ghats and South Indian Hills, up to 5000 feet at the Eastern end of the Himalayas but only up to 3000 feet in the North West Himalayas. The butterfly is a common visitor to Indian gardens and can even be found in crowded urban areas. This one was seen in my garden in Tamil Nadu, India
This butterfly has been flying around the same area in my garden for 2 or 3 days now. At least it looks like the same one!
Oh yes... this one only has 1 row of red spots, and one of white, and the Crimson Rose has 2 of red... Very different now that I look closely.
Thanks NuwanChathuranga
Thanks NuwanChathuranga. I wonder if I'll ever be able to see the difference! I thought only the males had black on their body, but that must change with the species... It did look a bit smaller than the other one I saw, and not quite as showy.
the genus "Atrophaneura" is having complex wing patterns & some mimic forms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrophaneur...
this one looks like female Common Rose to me