Identity, biology and bionomics of the Common Mime Chilasa clytia Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

The Genus Chilasa belonging to the tribe Papilionini was erected by Moore (1903) in his book entitled ‘Lepidoptera Indica’. Species belonging to this genus are mimics of the subfamily Danainae and hence, they are popularly known as mimes. The tribe Papilionini is classified into two genera Papilio and Chilasa based mainly on the pattern of oblique bands in the larva. The genus Chilasa comprises four groups, of which only two the agestor group and clytia group are found in the Indian region.