Malabar Raven

November 20, 2009 at 2:44 pm (Butterflies)
Tags: Butterflies, butterfly, Endemic, Malabar Raven, Papilio dravidarum, swallowtail, Swallowtails

Papilio dravidarum

The Malabar Raven ( Papilio dravidarum) is a species of Swallowtail butterfly found in the Western Ghats of India.

Range

Endemic to the Western Ghats in South India. It occurs in the states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Goa.

Habitat

This butterfly frequents heavy jungles of the Western Ghats between 1000 to 3000 feet. It has been recorded in January and from March to October

The Malabar Raven resembles the model Common Crow in habits and flight, but is faster than the other mimic, the Common Mime. It prefers shady patches. The males drink at wet patches especially in the hot dry pre-monsoon days.

Lifecyle

There are two to three broods a year. Recorded in Coorg as having broods from September to October, November to December, and, from April to May. Recorded in Karnataka in July and in September. Males appear to outnumber the females