Common Crow Butterfly | Euploea core PUPAE

The Euploea core, the Common Crow butterfly, is a species found across South and Southeast Asia. This butterfly is a member of the Danainae subfamily, which includes other well-known butterflies like the Monarch. The Euploea core has distinct physical characteristics that make it easily recognizable: dark brown to black wings marked with tiny white spots. Its wingspan typically ranges from 85 to 95 mm.

Known for its graceful flight, the common crow butterfly is well adapted to various environments, from urban gardens to forested areas. It feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, especially those rich in alkaloids. Like other members of the Danaus tribe, Euploea core stores toxic compounds from its food during the caterpillar stage, rendering it unpalatable to predators.

Euploea core larvae feed on plants from the Apocynaceae family, such as milkweeds, which contain toxic chemicals that the caterpillars accumulate in their body. The pupae are silver or gold in colour and look like jewellery!

Difficulty - Easy (3/10)

Host plants - Milkweeds (Asclepias), Araujia, Periploca, Cynanchum

Temperature - Room temperature or warmer.

Lifecycle - continually brooded; adult butterflies live for several weeks to months.