Black Jungle Queen vs Common Mormon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Jungle Queen | Common Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stichophthalma howqua | Papilio polytes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 100-130 mm wingspan | 90-100 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Heathland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand) and southern China | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Jungle Queen
A large, powerful butterfly with dark brown to black upper wings and elaborately patterned undersides featuring ocelli and intricate brown and cream marbling. It flies in the early morning.
Did You Know?
It is crepuscular, flying only during dawn and dusk, and spends the heat of the day resting motionless in the dark forest understory.
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.