View source for Pachliopta aristolochiae

{{Short description|Species of butterfly}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common rose
| image = Pachliopta aristolochiae interposita.jpg
| image_caption = 
| image2 = Open wing position of Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricius, 1775 – Common Rose.jpg
| image2_caption = ''P. a. aristolochiae''<br/>[[West Bengal]], India
| taxon = Pachliopta aristolochiae
| authority = ([[Johan Christian Fabricius|Fabricius]], 1775)<ref name="GloBIS/GART">{{cite web |url=http://www.insects-online.de/frames/papilio.htm |title=Papilionidae – revised GloBIS/GART species checklist (2nd draft) |author1=Häuser, Christoph L. |author2=de Jong, Rienk |author3=Lamas, Gerardo |author4=Robbins, Robert K. |author5=Smith, Campbell |author6=Vane-Wright, Richard I. |date=28 July 2005 |work=Entomological Data Information System |publisher=Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Germany |access-date=21 June 2013 |archive-date=9 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909141739/http://www.insects-online.de/frames/papilio.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| synonyms = * ''Atrophaneura aristolochiae''
}}

'''''Pachliopta aristolochiae''''', the '''common rose''',<ref name=Smetacek/><ref name=funet/> is a species of [[swallowtail butterfly]] belonging to the genus ''Pachliopta'', the roses, or red-bodied swallowtails. It is a common butterfly which is extensively distributed across [[South Asia|south]] and [[southeast Asia]].<ref name=Smetacek>{{Cite book|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287980260|title=A Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India |last1=Varshney |first1=R.K. |last2=Smetacek|first2=Peter|publisher=Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal & Indinov Publishing, New Delhi|year=2015|isbn=978-81-929826-4-9|location=New Delhi|pages=1–2|doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3966.2164}}</ref><ref name=funet>{{cite web |last=Savela |first=Markku |url=http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/papilionidae/papilioninae/atrophaneura/#aristolochiae |title=''Atrophaneura aristolochiae'' (Fabricius, 1775) |website=Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms |access-date=July 2, 2018}}</ref>

==Range==
It is widely distributed in Asia including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (including the [[Andaman Islands]]), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan (south-western [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] only), Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, [[Nicobar Islands]], peninsular and eastern Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines ([[Palawan]] and [[Leyte]]), Indonesia, Bangladesh and Taiwan.<ref name=Smetacek/><ref name=funet/>

In China, it is distributed in southern and eastern China (including [[Hainan]], [[Guangdong]] province) and Hong Kong. In Indonesia, it is distributed in [[Sumatra]], [[Nias]], [[Enggano]], [[Bangka Island|Bangka]], [[Java]], [[Bali]], [[Kangean Islands|Kangean]], [[Lombok]], [[Sumbawa]], [[Sumba]], [[Flores]], [[Tanahjampea]], and [[Kalimantan]].<ref name=funet/>

==Status==
It is very common almost all over the plains of India, and is not threatened as a species. During and after the monsoon it is extremely abundant.

==Description==

The upperside of male is velvety black.<ref name="bingham">{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite book |last1=Bingham |first1=C.T. |author-link=Charles Thomas Bingham |title=The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma |url=https://archive.org/stream/butterflies02bingiala#page/20/mode/2up/ |volume=II |edition=1st |publisher= [[Taylor & Francis|Taylor and Francis, Ltd.]] |location=London |year=1907|pages=20–21}}}}</ref><ref name=MooreIndica>{{Cite book|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/103496#page/190/mode/1up|title=Lepidoptera Indica. Vol. V|last=Moore|first=Frederic|author-link=Frederic Moore|publisher=Lovell Reeve and Co.|year=1901–1903|volume=5|location=London|pages=178–182}}</ref>

Forewing with well-marked pale adnervular streaks on the discal area that do not reach the terminal margin, the latter broadly velvety black; the streaks beyond end of cell extended inwards into its apex.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

Hindwing with elongate white discal markings in interspaces 2–5 beyond the cell.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

In dry-weather specimens these markings are very short and do not nearly reach the bases of the interspaces; beyond these a curved series of subterminal lunular markings in interspaces one to seven dull crimson irrorated with black scales, the spot in interspace one large, irregular, diffuse, margined interiorly with white.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

On the underside of the males, the ground colour and markings is similar, but the red subterminal spots on the hindwing much brighter; it is not irrorated with black scales, better defined, the anterior four subquadrate, the next two crescent shaped, sometimes quadrate also, the spot in interspace one triangular and pointed. Antennae, thorax and abdomen above up to the pre-anal segment black; the head, sides of prothorax above, and of the whole of the thorax and abdomen beneath vermilion red; anal segment vermilion red.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

Females are similar to the males; they differ from the male only in the comparatively broader wings and this is most conspicuous in the forewing.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>
<gallery>
File:Atrophaneura aristolochiae goniopeltis MHNT dos.jpg|{{center|Male, dorsal side<br/>(museum specimen)}}
File:Atrophaneura aristolochiae goniopeltis MHNT ventre.jpg|{{center|Female, ventral side<br/>(museum specimen)}}
File:Pandiyana aristolochiae polytes helenus.png|{{center|Similar species}}
</gallery><gallery>
File:Common Rose Male.jpg|Male
File:Common Rose Male .jpg|Male
File:Common Rose Female.jpg|Female
File:Common Rose Female Butterfly.jpg|Female
</gallery>

==Varieties==
[[File:Common rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae ceylonica) underside.jpg|thumb|''P. a. ceylonica'', Sri Lanka]]
There are up to 20 subspecies. The nominate sub-species occurs throughout peninsular India. The subspecies include:<ref name="CFSSmetacek2013">{{cite journal|title=Subspecies Catalogue of the Butterflies of India (Papilionidae): A Synopsis|author1=Cotton, Adam |author2=Fric, Zdenek Faltynek |author3=Smith, Colin |author4=Smetacek, Peter |journal=Bionotes|volume=15 |issue=1|pages=5–8|date=March 2013}}</ref><ref name=Smetacek/><ref name=funet/>
* ''P. a. aristolochiae'' [[Johan Christian Fabricius|<small>Fabricius</small>]]. India. Very common.
* ''P. a. sawi'' [[William Harry Evans|<small>Evans</small>]]. [[Nicobar Islands|Car Nicobar]]. Not rare.
* ''P. a. camorta'' [[Frederic Moore|<small>Moore</small>]]. [[Nicobar islands|Central Nicobars]]. Not rare.
* ''P. a. goniopeltis'' [[Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild|<small>Walter Rothschild</small>]]. [[Andaman islands]]. Not rare. Also found in Myanmar.
* ''P. a. kondulana'' <small>Evans.</small> [[Nicobar islands|South Nicobars]]. Not rare.

The subspecies ''P. a. ceylonicus'' <small>Moore</small> is found in Sri Lanka and is very common.

Variety ''camorta'' differs from the typical form as follows:
* "The white spots of the hindwing small, only that between the lower median veins (veins 2 and 3) is clearly marked on the upperside
* the two others standing before and behind the upper median vein (vein 4) are sometimes entirely absent from the upperside, or when present are much suffused with black; below there is usually a spot within the apex of the cell." (Rothschild quoted in Bingham)<ref name="bingham" /><ref name="MooreIndica" />

==Habitat==
An excellent generalist which has adapted to a range of habitats, the butterfly has been found in congregations at lower elevations. The common rose is found up to {{convert|8000|ft|m|order=flip}} in the [[Western Ghats]] and south Indian hills, up to {{convert|5000|ft|m|order=flip}} at the eastern end of the Himalayas but only up to {{convert|3000|ft|m|order=flip}} in the north-west Himalayas. The butterfly is a common visitor to Indian gardens and can even be found in crowded urban areas.

==Habits==
It is the commonest of the large-tailed butterflies of India.

The red body, slow peculiar flight, bright colouration and pattern of the wings are meant to indicate to predators that this butterfly is inedible, being well protected by the poisons it has sequestered from its larval food plant. It also emits a nasty smelling substance when handled to further enhance its unappealing qualities. Hence it is rarely attacked by predators, a strategy so successful, that edible butterflies have evolved to [[mimic]] it, the classic example being that of the female morph of the [[Papilio polytes|common Mormon]] that is ''Papilio polytes'', female form ''stichius''.

The common rose frequently visits flowers such as ''Lantana'', ''Cosmos'', ''Zinnia'', ''Jatropha'' and ''Clerodendron''. The butterfly occasionally also visits wet patches. In parts of Sri Lanka, the males are known to congregate and form a beautiful sight while [[mud-puddling]].

The common rose is active much earlier in the morning than most butterflies and remains so throughout the day until dusk. It flies just as readily in the shade as in the sun, and frequently visits flowers.

In drier regions, around noon, the butterfly rests in thickets to avoid the mid-day heat. Here, it will rest and venture forth only in the late afternoon once again.

In the evenings, it retires into wooded areas or thickets in search of dead twigs or small branches on which to roost. It prefers sites that are 10 to 15 feet above ground, below the canopy in trees with sufficient cover from the elements, where it frequently roosts in the company of others of its type, and, sometimes, in the company of the [[crimson rose]].

It flies high, slowly and often descends to nectar on flowers below. On such occasions it often dives down with its wings held back, and as it approaches the flower, the wings open up to provide deceleration. The butterfly primarily depends on motive thrust on the powerful flapping of its forewings while the hindwings act as a balancing and steering mechanism. This flying technique gives a rather unusual look to its flight and an observer is left with the impression that it is dragging itself through the air with only the assistance of its forewings.

The common rose is often the preferred species to show the amateur naturalist the utility of the tails in steering. This can be most easily observed when the common rose hovers over flowers to sip nectar. Then, its forewings beat readily to give it buoyancy while the tails move delicately to steer and adjust its position.

It has been considered in the past that these tails are primarily for deception as in the case of the ''[[Polyommatinae]]'' where the thread-like tails resemble [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]] and confuse the attacker as to the location of the head. On occasions, roses have been observed with damaged tails and it is possible that the presence of swallowtails occasionally does favour the butterfly in confusing attackers.

==Life cycle==
<gallery perrow="6">
File:Common Rose Egg.jpg|Egg
File:Common Rose Cat in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 0050.jpg|Caterpillar
File:Atrophaneura aristolochiae caterpillar in bangalore.JPG|Pre-pupal caterpillar
File:Common Rose Pre-Pupal Catterpillar.jpg|Pre-pupal caterpillar
File:Pachliopta aristolochiae-Kadavoor-2016-07-13-001.jpg|Pupa
File:ST001 Pachliopta aristolochiae.jpg|Freshly emerged adult
File:Common Rose.jpg|Adult
</gallery>

===Eggs===
The female has been observed inspecting ''Aristolochia'' plants and selecting healthy plants with verdant growth to ensure adequacy of food for its voracious caterpillars. It lays round and reddish [[egg (biology)|eggs]] with fine black markings. The eggs are laid singly on top, the underside of leaves or even on shoots.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

===Caterpillar===
The [[caterpillar]] is a velvety-maroon colour and has a white band on a segment on its middle reminiscent of a belt or collar. It has numerous fleshy red-tipped white protuberances on the body. It is bulky and slow in its movements.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

===Pupa===
The [[pupa]] is brownish with various shades of brown and pink markings. It is attached to its support by the tail and held at an angle by a body band. The support is usually a stick. The distinguishing feature of the common rose pupa is the presence of large semi-circular projections on the back of the abdomen, thorax and head.<ref name="bingham"/><ref name=MooreIndica/>

==Food plants==
The larvae feed on creepers and climbers of the genus ''[[Aristolochia]]'', family [[Aristolochiaceae]], and they sequester toxins such as [[aristolochic acid]] in their bodies. This makes the adults toxic to vertebrate predators such as birds and reptiles.<ref>Tian-Shung Wu, Yann-Lii Leu and Yu-Yi Chan (2000). Aristolochic Acids as a Defensive Substance for the Aristolochiaceous Plant-Feeding Swallowtail Butterfly, ''Pachliopta aristolochiae interpositus.'' ''Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society'' 47:221-226 [http://www.sinica.edu.tw/~ccswww/zj-OR-2000-P221.PDF]</ref> However the ''[[Braconidae|braconid]]'' wasps which parasitise the caterpillars have apparently co-evolved with the butterfly and are not affected by the toxins. Larval food plants include:
* ''[[Aristolochia bracteolata]]''
* ''[[Aristolochia indica]]''
* ''[[Aristolochia tagala]]''
* ''[[Aristolochia griffithi]]''
* ''[[Aristolochia leuconeura]]''
* ''[[Thottea siliquosa]]''

==See also==
*[[Papilionidae]]
*[[List of butterflies of India]]
*[[List of butterflies of India (Papilionidae)]]
Chattopadhyay, Jagannath. (2007) "Swallowtail Butterflies, Biology and Ecology of a few Indian Species." Desh Prakashan, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. {{ISBN|978-81-905719-1-3}}.

==Cited references==
<references/>

==References==
*Chattopadhyay, Jagannath. (2007) "Swallowtail Butterflies, Biology and Ecology of a few Indian Species." Desh Prakashan, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. {{ISBN|978-81-905719-1-3}}.
* {{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=N. Mark |last2=Morris |first2=Michael G. |title=Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/98674#page/7/mode/1up |year=1985 |publisher=[[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] |location=Gland & Cambridge |isbn=978-2-88032-603-6 |via=Biodiversity Heritage Library}}
* {{cite book |last1=Evans |first1=W.H. |author-link=William Harry Evans |title=The Identification of Indian Butterflies |edition=2nd |location=Mumbai, India |publisher=[[Bombay Natural History Society]] |year=1932}}
* {{cite book |last=Gaonkar |first=Harish |author-link=Harish Gaonkar |title=Butterflies of the Western Ghats, India (including Sri Lanka) - A Biodiversity Assessment of a Threatened Mountain System |publisher=Centre for Ecological Sciences |location=Bangalore, India |year=1996}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gay |first1=Thomas |last2=Kehimkar |first2=Isaac David |last3=Punetha |first3=Jagdish Chandra |title=Common Butterflies of India |series=Nature Guides |publisher= World Wide Fund for Nature-India by Oxford University Press |location=Bombay, India |year=1992 |isbn=978-0195631647}}
* {{cite book |last=Kunte |first=Krushnamegh |title=Butterflies of Peninsular India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cuPPjOMcu_4C |series=India, A Lifescape |location=Hyderabad, India |publisher=Universities Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-8173713545}}
* Munshi, G.H.; & Moiz, S.A. (1967). Host plant specificity of the black swallowtail butterfly. ''Polydorus aristolochiae'' (Papilionidae). ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'' 21: 127-128 [https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepsoc/jls/1960s/1967/1967-21(2)127-Munshi.pdf pdf]
*Munshi, G.H.; & Moiz, S.A. (1968). The pupa of ''Polydorus aristolochiae'' (Papilionidae). ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'' 22:115-118 [http://peabody.research.yale.edu/jls/pdfs/1960s/1968/1968-22(2)115-Munshi.pdf pdf]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*Munshi, G.H.; & Moiz, S.A. (1968). Some observations on and description of ''Polydorus aristolochiae'' (Papilionidae). ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'' 22(3):183-185, 2 tbls [http://peabody.research.yale.edu/jls/pdfs/1960s/1968/1968-22(3)183-Munshi.pdf pdf]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*Munshi, G.H.; & Moiz, S.A. (1969). Detailed description of larva of ''Polydorus aristolochiae.'' ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'' 23: 107-109 [http://peabody.research.yale.edu/jls/pdfs/1960s/1969/1969-23(2)107-Munshi.pdf pdf]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*Munshi, G.H.; & Moiz, S.A. (1970). Studies on the biology and seasonal history of ''Polydorus aristolochiae'' (Papilionidae). ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'' 24:19-22, 4 tbls [http://peabody.research.yale.edu/jls/pdfs/1970s/1970/1970-24(1)19-Munshi.pdf pdf]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book|last=Wynter-Blyth |first=Mark Alexander |author-link=Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth |title=Butterflies of the Indian Region |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yEkgAQAAMAAJ |year=1957 |location=Bombay, India |publisher=[[Bombay Natural History Society]] |isbn=978-8170192329}}
* Shihan, T.R. (2016). ''A Photographic Guide to the Butterflies of Bangladesh''. Butterfly Reintroduction Farm, Chuadanga, Bangladesh, 165pp.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Atrophaneura aristolochiae}}
{{Wikispecies}}
*[http://www.wildreach.com/butterflies/Pachliopta_aristolochiae.php Sri Lanka Wild Life Information Database]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20050515164055/http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/chinfahshin/history/rose.html
* https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174856/http://www.srilankaninsects.net/Butterflies/Papilionidae/CommonRose/CommonRose.htm

{{Red-bodied swallowtail|state=expanded}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1768109}}

[[Category:Pachliopta|aristolochiae]]
[[Category:Fauna of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Borneo]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Singapore]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Indochina]]
[[Category:Butterflies described in 1775]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Java]]
[[Category:Fauna of Sumatra]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Japan]]
[[Category:Butterflies of Taiwan]]