Chilasa clytia PUPAE

The Common Mime Swallowtail (Chilasa clytia) has multiple adult forms, making it quite an exciting species to keep. The two main forms, which occur in both sexes, are f. clytia (mimicking the Common Crow, Euploea core) and dissimilis (resembling the Glassy Blue Tiger, Danaus limniace). Both forms mimic a distasteful or toxic butterfly species, this is known as Batesian Mimicry. This butterfly is easy to keep in captivity, feed adult butterflies nectar solution (they are unlikely to feed themselves unless in a greenhouse/polytunnel), but unlikely to breed unless you have the host plant - Cinnamomum. Caterpillars are also mimetic, resemling the larvae of Papilio agestor. Other reported host plants include Alseodaphne, Litsea, and Tetranthera.