Pachliopta aristolchiae asteris - Rothschild 1908    The Common Rose

Species details : A well-known and relatively common species, recognised by its red body and circular red spots on the hind wing underside. It can be found almost anywhere on the Island, from forests to urban gardens. Its relative abundance can be put down to the fact that it is able to feed on a wide variety of Aristolochia vines, meaning that should one species die down during the dry season, there is always another species it can feed on.

This species can be mistaken for the very rare and seasonal Atrophaneura adamsoni takakoae, but the latter hind wing spots are less regular in shape, and turn white as they move away from the tail.

Early Stages         : More detailed life history information is available from the following resources: S. Igarishi - Life Histories of Asian Butterflies, Volume.1 , Page 248.

5th instar larva ©Khew SK

Larval Foodplant : Aristolochia species

Range                    : Burma, Peninsular Thailand and Malaya.(Other subspecies can be found from Sri Lanka, India, Indo-China including northern Thailand to Central China, the Riu Kiu Islands,  the Philippines and Lesser Sunda Islands).