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Common mormon
A black swallowtail of gardens and citrus trees whose females copy the colours of toxic species and so come in several different patterns.
How to recognise it
The male is black with a band of white spots across the hindwing. Females may show red crescents and a longer tail — all the same species.
Where to see it
Chandigarh
The Sector 26 Butterfly Park was planted with the specific food plants these butterflies need (lime and curry leaf for the common mormon), which is why the park works as a butterfly site rather than just a garden.
Butterfly Park, Sector 26 · The Rose Garden · Japanese Garden
Kolkata
The caterpillar feeds on lime and curry-leaf trees, which is why the butterfly is a fixture of Indian kitchen gardens.
Agri-Horticultural Society Garden · Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary · AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden & the Great Banyan
Rishikesh
The caterpillar feeds on lime and curry-leaf trees, which is why the butterfly is a fixture of Indian kitchen gardens.
Neer Garh Waterfall · Phool Chatti Waterfall