Common Mime

Chilasa clytia clytia
Common Mime
Details
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Genus: Chilasa
Species: clytia clytia
Common Name: Common Mime
Wingspan: 80-90
Forms:
Status in Singapore: Common
Life History: complete
This butterfly can be found in: •Malaysia •Singapore
Hostplant(s): Cinnamomum iners (Wild Cinnamon) Neolitsea machadonis

Description
In Singapore, only the black-and-white striped form-dissimilis of the species occurs. We have not observed the other brown forms of the Common Mime here.

Habitat & Habits
The Common Mime is relatively common in Singapore, and can be seen both in the nature reserves and also in urban areas.

Other Observations
The butterfly mimics the distasteful Danainae species for protection against predators. Indeed, when it flutters around flowers, feeding, it mimics the slow and graceful flight of the Blue Glassy Tiger and Dark Glassy Tiger to fool predators into thinking that it is one of the distasteful species.

Source: ButterflyCircle