Blue Mormon

The Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) is a strikingly large swallowtail butterfly found primarily in South India and Sri Lanka. Recently, it has also been recorded in eastern India, particularly in Jharkhand. With a wingspan ranging from 120 to 150 mm, it holds the title of the fourth largest butterfly species in India and serves as the official state butterfly of Maharashtra. Despite its size and beauty, it is quite common and not considered threatened. In Sri Lanka, its population has increased notably due to human cultivation of citrus plants members of the Rutaceae family,which are the primary host plants for its larvae.

This butterfly thrives in regions with high rainfall, especially evergreen forests, but is also frequently seen in deciduous woodlands and even urban areas where host plants are cultivated. Males are typically more active in sunny areas and tend to avoid shade. They are often seen feeding on nectar from flowers like Hibiscus, Ixora coccinea, Jasminum species, and Mussaenda frondosa. Their flight is fast and unpredictable, often zigzagging or hopping in direction, making them difficult to catch. Blue Mormons are also known for mud puddling sipping mineral-rich moisture from wet soil and are unusually tolerant of human presence during these moments. Interestingly, they also play an ecological role as pollinators of crops like cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).