Great mormon swallowtail (Papilio memnon)

Pastur butterfly or great mormon swallowtail (Papilio memnon) is an animal species in Papilionidae, large size, has more than 14 subspecies, very polymorphism, especially females for color and shape, males are more dominated by black color, live in tropical open forests and agricultural land.

P. memnon has a wingspan of 120-163 mm with a very varied color pattern for at least 26 forms of color patterns in females and four forms of color patterns in males. Many of these are mimicry of species of butterflies that predators don't like to eat. Generally has a tail on the back, but some subspecies do not.

The male has a front wing length of 62.7 mm, a rear wing length of 39.6 mm, a body length of 33.6 mm and an antenna length of 22.6 mm. Front wings on top surface with dark to black color. Sometimes there is a red spot near the base.

Females have a front wing length of 62.7 mm, a rear wing length of 39.6 mm, a body length of 33.6 mm and an antenna length of 22.6 mm. The forewings on the upper surface are sepia with grayish-white and red streaks near the base. The upper surface of the hind wings is black or blue with 5-7 white patches.

Larvae feed on leaves from citrus species, especially pomelo (Citrus grandis) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Imago lays a single egg under the leaves and it will hatch in three days. Instars look like bird droppings. The pupal process takes 2.5 weeks. Eggs are spherical, yellow, 1.3 mm in diameter.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Tribe: Papilionini
Genus: Papilio
Subgenus: Menelaides
Species: Papilio memnon

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