TAILED JAY

Scientific name: Graphium agamemnon

  Local Name: -

  Field Characteristics:

  Wing Span: 85 to 100 mm

This is a black butterfly with green spots and streaks on its wings, which are narrow and elongated. Tails on the hind wings are longer in females.

  Distribution and Habitat:

This butterfly is a common butterfly seen in urban areas attracted by nectar plants in city gardens.

  Activity: It is active throughout the year

  Habits:

This butterfly is a very speedy flier. It’s flight is straight and dashing. It usually flies among tree tops in the forests and descends occasionally to feed from flowers from shrubs and smaller trees. In gardens it flies at the level of bushes.When it feeds from a flower it takes short sips of nectar from the flower while barely touching it with its legs. It quivers its wings constantly while feeding.

  Food:

Garden flowers such as lantana ixora, mussenda etc. are favored by this species. The caterpillars use Ashoka and Sonchafa trees as food plants.