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PAPILIO POLYTES


PAPILIO POLYTES
Photo Information
Copyright: Sumon Sinha (Mana) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-31
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-12 5:00
Viewed: 922
Points: 74
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Mormon, Papilio polytes, is a common species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. This butterfly is known for the mimicry displayed by the numerous forms of its females which mimic inedible Red-bodied Swallowtails, such as the Common Rose and the Crimson Rose.

Jet black butterfly with row of white spots along the middle part of hindwing. 90-100 mm. This is a very common species and is not threatened. Interestingly, this species has considerable genetic variability and is known to produce gynandromorphs, genetic aberrations which are part male and part female.

This picture is of the female form stichius. The female of the Common Mormon is polymorphic. In South Asia, it has three forms or morphs. These are as follows :-
Form cyrus
This form is similar to the male, differing in that it always has strongly marked red crescents. It is the least common of the three forms. It is normally abundant where the Common Rose or Crimson Rose do not occur, such as in Himachal Pradesh around Shimla; although a few specimens of form romulus have also been caught alongside.
Form stichius
This female form of the Common Mormon mimics the Common Rose very closely. This is the commonest form wherever the Common Rose flies.
Form romulus
This female form mimics the Crimson Rose and is common over its range. It is not such a close mimic as the previous form being duller than its model, the Crimson Rose. It is easy to differentiate the mimics from models by the colour of their body - the models are red-bodied and the mimics are black-bodied.
Form sakontala
Subhimalayan distribution. Male upperside dull, somewhat brownish black. Fore wing very sparingly irrorated with yellowish scales, that form ill-defined cellular and internervnlar streaks. Hind wing with a discal series of very diffuse greenish-white spots in interspaces 1 to 7 and an ill-defined tornal reddish lunule; the spots in interspaces 5 and 6 are the most diffuse, and beyond the whole series there is a postdiscal slight irroration of whitish scales. Underside: fore wing opaque dark brown, the internervular streaks broader, more prominent than on the upperside. Hindwing black; the discal series of elongate spots dingy white, larger and more clearly defiued than on the upperside, followed by a large tornal more or less vermilion-red spot with a black centre and a subterminal series of similarly-coloured lunules; the discal spot in interspace 2 bordered outwardly by an outwardly-curved lunule. Cilia black alternated with white. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen black. Female unknown.

Male
The male has one morph only. It is a dark-coloured swallow-tailed butterfly. The upper forewing has a series of white spots decreasing in size towards the apex. The upper hindwing has a complete discal band of elongated white spots. It may or may not have marginal red crescents. The males are smaller in size than the females.

The Common Mormon prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in orchards of its foodplants - oranges and limes. It is most common in the monsoon and post-monsoon months.

Scientific classification -
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. polytes

Amadeo, Hil, Miss_Piggy, eqshannon, marhowie, matatur, maurydv, flashpoint, jaycee, gannu, Alex99, gracious, mariki, vanderschelden, mickey, Argus, wuta, Luis52, haraprasan, kmr13777, Tamrock, jusninasirun, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hola Mana, muy bonito este ejemplar, nitida y con buena luz y color. Un saludo

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 705 W: 13 N: 1405] (5027)
  • [2008-04-12 5:07]

Hi Sumon

Superb Macro of the Common Mormon.
Very nicely composed with a superb POV and a lovely open wing pose.
The DOF is excellent with nice sharp details too.
The colours are very good and nice use of light too.
Excellent note

Hil

Hi Mana,
Beautiful Common Mormon picture. Good use of flash to reveal the detail of dark colored wings. Sharp focus and well exposed image. Lovely composition. Have a nice weekend.
JC

Hallo Sumon
What a delightful butterfly and absolute feast to the eye shot. This is really a gorgeous image with lots of detail to appreciate. This butterfly is formed perfectly and the colours are spectacular, especially at the lower part of the wings. It looks hand painted with gloss enamel. Good framing, good lighting and great clarity applied. A splendid macro presentation. Thanks for sharing, and have an enjoyable day.
Best regards
Anna

The flash worked REAL well in helping define a hard colour or not of black. what is the rule? Black is all colours and white not? Or is it vis a versa..I forget...Well I do know from experience how hard it can be working in colour mode ona black subject, so this is certainly a big plus Sumon..Swell image and very nice notes.
Bob

Hi Sumon,
I have to warn ya, I see every detail with this new monitor ;}
Very good exposure, and color, nice DOF/detail..
I like the POV/comp and the green plant strands/tips that appear next to the swallowtails "tails".
Well done!
Howard

A fine POV, nice greenery to pose on, a magnificent b.fly specimen well lighted with the help of a fill-in flash, plus your expertise under such conditions resulted in a masterpiece Sumon, thank you indeed for your sharing of this fine macro-take my friend.
Mehmet

Hi Sumon, amazing shot.
Sharpness is excellent and so you can admire the wonderful wings of this butterfly.
POV and composition are very good.
TFS Tatjana

Splendida farfalla, eccellenti POV e DOF, raffinata e come sempre estremamente curata in ogni particolare la composizione, eccellenti dettagli esaltati anche dall'uso del flash, molto belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2008-04-12 8:18]

Hello Sumon,
Excellent photo of this Common Mormon. Great sharp detailes and beautiful contrasting colours. Very nice composition and DOF.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-04-12 9:26]

Hi Sumon,

This is gorgeous!! A beautiful butterfly with an unusual color combination. Wonderful pov showing him off. Superb details and a lovely picture.

Jane

Ciao Sumon,
splendida immagine di questa Papilio!
Mi piace soprattutto la resa dei magnifici colori delle ali posteriori.
Complimenti,
Marcello

Hello my dear friend,
The best photographer for butterfly that I know!
another fine and perfect shot of the Mormon in such sharpness, vivid colouration and superb details
my compliment
have a wonderful sunday, my friend!
Tony

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 442 W: 0 N: 427] (3110)
  • [2008-04-12 13:05]

Magnifica foto exelente borboleta muito bela e rica em detalhes parabéns.
Nilson

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1060 W: 61 N: 2306] (9467)
  • [2008-04-12 14:00]

Hello Sumon,

Very nice picture of this butterfly. Very good low POV. Good sharpness. I like very much the plant on which this butterfly is resting. Good light and colours.
cheers,
Mariki

Hello Sumon,
Beautiful image. Well composed.
Very good presentation.
TFS
Annick

Que suerte de vivir en un País con ese clima y poder apreciar las maravillas que nos mostrais los Indios. Bien captada la belleza de los colores.
Un abrazo: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-04-12 17:11]

Hi Sumon,i haven't words to comment this incredible beauty,one of the best pic never seen on TN,my best compliments,2 points are not enough!!!!! Luciano

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-04-12 21:09]

Hello Sumon

A spot on shot of this beautiful butterfly.
The focus is sharp with excellent detail.
Lovely rich natural colours.
The POV and DOF are excellent.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2008-04-12 22:54]

Hi Sumon

A great shot - good composition and POV with good colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.

James

Hi Sumon, elegant butterfly with fantastic colors, splendid details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5672] (18539)
  • [2008-04-13 0:56]

Hi Sumon.
Fantastic beauty. Simply amazing specimen, fine scene at whole and outstanding of quality image. Details and sharpness of the butterfly are unbelievable. DOF is precise, surroundings are the best. Bravo and congratulations.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • san Silver Note Writer [C: 6 W: 0 N: 22] (162)
  • [2008-04-13 1:58]

Hi Sumon,
Excellent composition, the tendrils of the plant add to the beauty of the composition.
TFS.
San

Again, beautifully captured - very sharp and clear. Nice angle. Artistic touch - the tendrils from the plant almost mimicking the butterfly's tail wings.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-04-13 8:35]

Hello Sumon, Excellent note and wonderful shot. superb details and great clarity shot. Smiley tmrw

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2008-04-13 10:17]

Hello Sumon,
A marvellous capture of the Common Mormon. The sharpness and open wing POV against a contrasting BG make this a first class image.
A real beauty thanks for sharing it!
Ivan

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2008-04-13 10:48]

This is a beauty Sumon , great sharpnes colours compositie light details pov and dof , very good ,tfs ,Greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645] (6814)
  • [2008-04-13 11:22]

Bonjour,
Texture des ailes particulièrement remarquable.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-04-13 12:31]

Wow! What a beautiful photo Sumon!
These are the kind of butterflies that you find in the butterfly houses in England. It's really fun to shoot these magnificent insects though you get to photograph them in your back garden!! How lucky you are! :-)
Very good DOF, excellent sharpness, superb detail and great lighting.
Well done my friend,

Joe

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
  • [2008-04-13 12:32]

Hello Sumon,
Amazing sharpness on this Common Mormon, down to the tiny white spots on the wings.
The colors are magnificent.
The subject is nicely shown against the BG.
I also find the "twisty" plant parts very interesting and photogenic.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2008-04-13 18:20]

Hola Sr. Sumon.
Beautiful macro Photo. Never seen this Buterfly before. It has nice colors.
Great Image My friend.
Luis52.

Hi Sumon Da,
A nice capture of this beautiful mormon. Excellent flashwork. Excellent details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2008-04-16 11:29]

Hello Sumon,
Excellent capture, the brilliant colors are wonderful.
Great macro work, the DOF is spot on and the details are perfectly sharp.
Very nice composition, and a great presentation
TFS..Sky

Hi Sumon,
Another excellent shot with great details and colors. Very beautiful butterfly and a great composition.

TFS
Kirti

hi sumon!
very nice macro with great
sharpness and fine exposure!
well done!

Hello Sumon. Gorgeous markings on the wings well spread here. Good contrasting color and pleasantly captured against the beautiful habitat. Best regards. Jusni

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-04-24 23:48]

Hi Sumon,
Lovely capture of this beautiful butterfly. Focus, sharpness, composition, colors, details and lighting are very good. Well done and TFS
Greetings,
Selen

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