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List of butterflies of India (Papilionidae)

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The Papilionidae, or Swallowtail family, is a family of large and beautiful butterflies which is well represented in India. Many Papilionids have tails which have given the name to this family. They are often spectacular and much sought after by collectors, A number of Papilionids world wide are threatened. Some Papilionids are wonderful mimics.

Great Mormon (Papilio memnon)is a species of swallowtail butterfly found in South Asia

Field identification

  • The Swallowtails are generally easily identified in the field by their large size, prominent markings, colour, patterns and variable wing and tail shape.
  • The Apollos, Parnassius are different in appearance from other swallowtails, being of moderate size, with gound colour white, spotted with red, black and blue.

Distinguishing features

  • Hindwings are not channelled to receive the abdomen.
  • Forelegs fully developed in both sexes.

Classification

The family Papilionidae is divided into three subfamilies of which two are found in India. They are :-

Species list

This list of the Swallowtail butterflies of India is given below. It also acts as an index to the species articles. This forms part of the full List of butterflies of India.

Genus Parnassius - The Apollos

Subfamily Papilioninae

Bhutan Glory, Bhutanitis lidderdalii

Genus Bhutanitis - The Bhutan Glory

Genus Iphiclides - The Scarce Swallowtail

Genus Teinopalpus - The Kaiser-e-Hind

Genus Meandrusa - The Hooked Swallowtails

Genus Lamproptera - The Dragontails

Spot Swordtail Pathysa nomius

Genus Graphium (Pazala) - The Swordtails

Genus Graphium (Pathysa) - The Swordtails, Zebras

The Swordtails

Common Bluebottle, Graphium sarpedon

The Zebras

Genus Graphium (Graphium) - The Bluebottles and Jays

Genus Atrophaneura (Atrophaneura) - The Red-bodied Swallowtails

Genus Atrophaneura (Losaria) - The Clubtails

Crimson Rose Pachliopta hector

Genus Atrophaneura (Pachliopta) - The Roses

Genus Troides - The Birdwings

Genus Papilio (Chilasa) - The Mimes

Common Yellow Swallowtail, Papilio machaon

Genus Papilio (Papilio) - The Swallowtails

Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor

Life cycle

  • Eggs - The eggs are spherical, being broader than high. They may be smooth or minutely pitted. They are generally green, white or blotched.
  • Larva - The caterpillars are spindle-shaped and they have a large retractable head. They are often conspicuously coloured and may have a crest or hood, or, fleshy protuberances. Behind the head, papilionid caterpillars have a curious two-branched cylinder, the osmeterium, which can be darted in and out and is for disseminating scent.
  • Pupa - The chrysalids are variable in shape. They have angular and supported heads which are held upwards by tail hooks and girth. Mime chrysalids resemble broken pieces of twig and those of the Apollos are enclosed in loose coccoons which are made on or just below the ground surface.

Foodplants

  • The Birdwings and the Red-bodied Swallowtails generally feed on plants of the Family Aristolochiaceae, a family having pungent and poisonous creepers. These properties are absorbed by the larva and retained in pupal and adult stages, making the butterflies both smell and taste nasty.
  • The Black-bodied Swallowtails feed on Oranges, Lemons and Rues , i.e.Family Rutaceae.
  • The Common Yellow Swallowtail, Papilio machaon, the classic species, feeds on Family Umbelliferae.
  • The Mimes and the Swordtails feed on the Custard Apple Family, Anonaceae, and the Laurel Family Lauraceae .

The List of Foodplants used by Papilionids is under compilation.

References

Woodcut of Red Helen Papilio helenus from Bingham
  • Collins, N. M. & M. G. Morris. (1985) Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World. IUCN. ISBN 2880326036
  • Evans, W. H. (1932) The Identification of Indian Butterflies. (2nd Ed), Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India
  • Gay, T., Kehimkar, I. & J. C. Punetha.(1992) Common Butterflies of India. WWF-India and Oxford University Press, Mumbai, India.
  • Haribal, M. (1994) Butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya and their Natural History.
  • Kunte, K. (2005) Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press.
  • Wynter-Blyth, M. A. (1957) Butterflies of the Indian Region, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India.

See also

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