Common Mime 090910

Chilasa clytia clytia

Details
Family : Papilionidae
Subfamily : Papilioninae
Genus : Chilasa
Common Name : Common Mime, 斑凤蝶
Wingspan : 80-90mm
Hostplant(s) : Cinnamomum iners (Wild Cinnamon, Kayu Manis Hutan)

Status In Singapore : Common


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.

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