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Crimson Rose (Atrophaneura hector) is a large swallowtail butterfly found in India, Srilanka and Myanmar. We photographed our specimen at Bangalore.
The male and female are similar i n feature and the species is characterised by black upperside body with interrupted white bands. The butterfly is fond of flowers, especially Lantana. Flutters slowly at lower altitudes and flies faster at higher altitudes.
The vibrant red coloured body indicates that this butterfly is protected well by poison. It is inedibale and rarely attacked by predetors. Due to this a female morf of Common Mormon mimicks this butterfly to protect itself from predator attack.
This butterfly has strong migratory tendencies and is known to migrate in large numbers during peak season.
They breed up to 6-7 times in the year and it has been found to take only 39-47 days from egg to adult. Their larvae eats exracts of poisonous plants and that helps the butterfly to protect itself at later stage of life.
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