Common Mormon Caterpillar;Final Instar(Papilio polytes)
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Papilio polytes, the common Mormon, is a common species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia.
This common mormon caterpillar was found on Citrus limon plant, a common host plant for the species.
Common Mormon caterpillars are heavily parasitised by chalcidoid wasps, with over a hundred tiny wasps eventually emerging from each Mormon pupa.As in the case of all Swallowtail butterflies, the Common Mormon caterpillars in all instars possess a fleshy organ called osmeterium in the prothoracic segment. Usually hidden, the osmeterium can be everted to emit a foul-smelling secretion when the caterpillar is threatened.
