Common Mormons outsmart enemies

MUMBAI: In order to stave off predators, the Common Mormon mimics the Common and Crimson Rose- two butterflies that birds don't find very appetizing. As an added safety measure, it also releases a terrible stink when a predator comes too close and resembles a bird dropping as a caterpillar. Considering how deftly this creature outsmarts its enemies, it's no surprise that about 150 Mumbaikars named it the city's 'most common and charismatic butterfly' in a Bombay Natural History Society poll. The 'charismatic title' can probably be attributed to its striking black-and-red colouring.

The Common Mormon is a swallowtail butterfly belonging to the Papilionidae family. While the common mormon males and females look different, their wing span is 90-100mm. They lays eggs on lemon and curry plants.

While the Common Mormon received 69 votes, the black-and-green runner-up Tailed Jay received 35 votes. The other winged contenders were the Plain Tiger, Common Emigrant and Common Crow. The polling was done both online and during BNHS's Breakfast with Butterflies event last Sunday. Besides voting for the Common Mormon, participants went for a nature walk, tried their hand at photographing butterflies and learned which plants attract them. Dr V Shubhalaxmi, deputy director of the BNHS, who organized the event, says she was rooting for the Tailed Jay. "The Tailed jay is a city butterfly and it never sits in one place just like a real Mumbaikar," she says. However, it makes sense that more people would have spotted the Common Mormon because it lays its eggs on lemon and curry plants, which Mumbaikars grow at home.

"So the Mormon comes literally to your doorstep," says Shubhalaxmi.

Common Mormon facts:

- swallowtail butterfly belonging to the Papilionidae family

- males and females look different

- wing span is 90-100mm

- lays its eggs on lemon and curry plants