Papilio clytia, the common mime is a black-bodied swallowtail butterfly found in South and S.E Asia.
It is famous for its mimicry, that imitate toxic swallowtails to escape predators. It serves as an excellent example of a Batesian mimic.
It has two mimetic forms in both sexes. The nominate form P.clytia -form clytia mimics the common Indian crow butterfly (Euploea core) while the form dissimilis mimics the blue tiger butterfly (Tirumala limniace).The flight also resembles that of the model, fluttering, neither weak nor strong, sometimes staying close to the ground and at other times flying strongly up into the treetops.
Seen here is the P.Clytia form dissimilis sucking on a lantana flower.
Shot in Coorg, May 2026, © Dr.Bishan Monnappa
