The Common Mime Butterfly Explained

The common mime (Papilio clytia, also placed in the genus Chilasa) is a swallowtail butterfly of India that protects itself by imitating the appearance of distasteful crows and tigers, two groups of butterflies that birds learn to avoid. Found in forests of the Himalayan foothills, the north-east, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, the common mime is one of the best-known examples of mimicry among Indian insects.

The common mime belongs to the family Papilionidae, but it does not look like a typical swallowtail. Its dark, streaked wings and slow, fluttering flight copy the models it imitates. This article explains what the common mime is, how its mimicry works, what its caterpillars eat, where it lives, and how it differs from the butterflies it resembles.

Key Takeaways

• The common mime (Papilio clytia) is a swallowtail butterfly of India that mimics distasteful crow and tiger butterflies for protection from predators.
• The common mime shows Batesian mimicry, in which a harmless species imitates the warning appearance of a toxic or unpalatable species.
• The common mime occurs in two main colour forms, one with pale streaks resembling tigers and one with a darker look resembling crows.
• Caterpillars of the common mime feed on trees of the laurel family (Lauraceae), including Litsea, Cinnamomum and Persea.
• The common mime flies slowly and with a floating, flapping action, which copies the flight of its models rather than the fast flight of other swallowtails.
• The common mime lacks the long tails of many swallowtails, which adds to its resemblance to crows and tigers.

What is the common mime?

The common mime is a medium to large swallowtail butterfly that gets its English name from its habit of “miming”, or imitating, other butterflies. Its scientific name is Papilio clytia, and the species was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Many authors place it in the genus Chilasa, a group of Asian swallowtails known as mimes, which is why both names appear in field guides.

The common mime is found across tropical Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to South-East Asia and southern China. In India it is a butterfly of hill and forest country rather than open plains. Because it imitates models that are common in the same forests, the common mime blends easily into the butterfly community, and a beginner may overlook it as just another crow or tiger.

The species is a useful teaching example in biology, because the mimicry can be seen directly in the field without any specialised equipment.

How does the common mime copy toxic butterflies?

The common mime copies toxic butterflies through Batesian mimicry, which means that a harmless species evolves the colours and behaviour of a species that predators avoid. In the common mime, the models are members of the milkweed butterfly subfamily Danainae, namely the crows and tigers, which store bitter or poisonous chemicals taken from their caterpillar and adult food plants.

The mimicry works on three levels:

• Colour and pattern: The wings carry pale streaks and spots on a dark ground that resemble the markings of tigers, or a darker and plainer pattern that resembles crows.
• Shape: The common mime has no long tails and its wing outline is rounded, unlike many swallowtails that have sharp, tailed hindwings.
• Behaviour: The butterfly flies slowly and glides in a relaxed way, matching the lazy, floating flight of the models, instead of the quick darting flight of most swallowtails.

The scheme succeeds only if the models are more common than the mimics. If mimics outnumber models, predators would often find a palatable meal and the protection would weaken. In the forests where the common mime lives, crows and tigers are usually abundant.

Which butterflies does the common mime imitate?

The common mime imitates the crows of the genus Euploea, such as the common crow, and the tigers of the genera Danaus and Tirumala, such as the blue tigers and the striped tiger. These are all members of the Danainae, a group that predators learn to avoid after an unpleasant experience.

The common mime does not look exactly like any single model, and it does not need to. Predators have limited time to inspect a flying butterfly, so a general impression of dark wings, pale streaks and slow flight is often sufficient. The two colour forms of the common mime reflect this: one leans towards the streaked tiger look and the other towards the plain dark crow look.

How can you identify the common mime?

The common mime can be identified by its black or dark brown wings marked with pale streaks and spots, its tailless hindwings and its slow, fluttering flight at low height. In the streaked form, the forewing shows pale bluish-white or creamy bands radiating outwards from the body, while the darker form has less distinct markings.

Features to look for

• A body that appears slender and dark, with a swallowtail-like head and a long abdomen.
• Wing veins outlined in pale streaks, creating a pattern like stained glass.
• Hindwings that are rounded, or have only a small blunt projection, and no sword-like tail.
• A flight that is slow and floating, often along forest edges and clearings.
• Males and females that look broadly similar, with minor differences in wing outline and shading.

The best way to separate the common mime from a true crow or tiger is to look at the head and the antennae and to watch the flight. Real tigers and crows have longer, clubbed antennae, a stouter appearance and an even slower, gliding flight, while the mime shows the lighter build and structure of a swallowtail. A close photograph usually settles the question.

What does the common mime caterpillar eat?

The common mime caterpillar eats the leaves of trees in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Recorded host plants in India include species of Litsea, Cinnamomum, Persea (including the avocado), Actinodaphne and Machilus, all of which are widespread in hill forests and many of which are aromatic.

The female lays eggs singly on tender young leaves. The newly hatched caterpillar is usually dark, with a pale saddle or patch on the back that resembles a bird dropping, which is a common defence among young swallowtail caterpillars. Later stages become green, with small body projections and fine markings. When threatened, the caterpillar extends a forked, foul-smelling organ called the osmeterium from behind its head.

The pupa is attached to a stem or twig by a silk girdle and looks like a dead leaf or small branch, with a pointed, angular outline that helps the butterfly stay concealed during metamorphosis.

Where is the common mime found in India?

The common mime is found in India in the forests of the Himalayan foothills, the north-eastern states, the Western Ghats, and some parts of the Eastern Ghats. Its range also covers Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and other regions of South-East Asia.

The butterfly is usually seen:

• In evergreen and moist deciduous forests, especially in shaded patches near streams.
• At forest edges, trails and clearings where flowering shrubs grow.
• In hill stations, plantations and well-wooded gardens close to forest.
• Visiting the flowers of lantana, Eupatorium, ixora and other nectar plants.

The species follows its host plants, so it is more frequent where laurel family trees remain. It is rare or absent in dry plains and arid regions. Where the habitat is good, it can be among the more commonly encountered swallowtails.

What are the two forms of the common mime?

The common mime has two commonly recognised forms, which differ in wing pattern and each of which resembles a different group of model butterflies. These are often written as the forms clytia and dissimilis, and both can be seen flying together in the same locality and may even hatch from the same brood.

This situation is called polymorphism, in which a single species shows more than one distinct adult appearance. In the common mime, the forms are inherited, and the presence of two forms may widen the range of models the species can imitate. A predator that has learned to avoid one pattern may therefore be deceived by either form.

Some points about the two forms are worth remembering:

• Both forms belong to the same species and can interbreed.
• The relative numbers of each form vary from place to place and from year to year.
• The forms are the best evidence in the field that the species is mimicking more than one model.
• Both forms are protected by the same habitat, so conserving laurel forest helps both.

How does the common mime fly and behave?

The common mime flies slowly and with a floating, flapping action at low to medium height, which closely follows the movement of the crows and tigers that it imitates. Unlike most swallowtails, it rarely moves in a hurry and it often glides between flowers.

The behaviour has several parts. The butterfly visits flowers for nectar, usually landing and feeding with its wings partly open. Males may gather at damp ground to drink minerals, as many swallowtails do. At night, the butterflies roost on twigs and leaves in sheltered spots, with the wings closed. When disturbed they take off with the same unhurried flight, which does not give away their identity.

Researchers have studied the common mime and its relatives to understand how mimicry evolves, and such studies depend on careful field records of numbers, forms and seasons. Amateur observers who note the form and date of each sighting can contribute useful information.

Why does mimicry matter, and is the common mime safe?

Mimicry matters because it shows natural selection operating on appearance and behaviour, and the common mime is a clear Indian example that helps in teaching evolution and ecology. The species itself is not regarded as rare across its forest range, but it depends on healthy forest with laurel family trees and on healthy populations of its models.

Habitat loss, conversion of forest to plantation, and the use of pesticides near forest edges can reduce local numbers. Because the mime depends on its models, a decline in crow and tiger butterflies could also reduce the protection that mimicry provides.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 regulates the collection of wild animals in India, including butterflies in protected areas. Watching and photographing the common mime is the best way to enjoy the species without harming it.

Bottom Line

The common mime is a swallowtail that has taken the appearance and slow flight of crows and tigers, protecting itself through Batesian mimicry. Looking carefully at its tailless wings, light build and laurel-feeding caterpillars helps separate this clever imitator from the butterflies it copies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of the common mime?

The scientific name of the common mime is Papilio clytia, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Many authors also place it in the genus Chilasa as Chilasa clytia. It belongs to the swallowtail family Papilionidae.

Why is it called the common mime?

The common mime is called a mime because it imitates the appearance and flight of other butterflies. It copies distasteful crows and tigers, which birds and other predators avoid eating. The word “common” reflects that the species is fairly widespread within its forest range.

What does Batesian mimicry mean in the common mime?

Batesian mimicry means that a harmless species protects itself by looking like a harmful or distasteful one. The common mime is palatable, but it resembles the toxic tigers and crows of the subfamily Danainae. Predators that have learned to avoid the models also tend to avoid the mime.

What do common mime caterpillars eat?

Common mime caterpillars eat the leaves of trees in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Known host plants include Litsea, Cinnamomum, Persea and Actinodaphne. The female lays her eggs one at a time on tender young leaves.

Where can the common mime be seen in India?

The common mime can be seen in the forests of the Himalayan foothills, north-eastern India, the Western Ghats and parts of the Eastern Ghats. It prefers moist forest, shaded streams and forest edges. It is generally absent from dry plains.

How can you tell a common mime from a real crow or tiger butterfly?

You can tell a common mime from a real crow or tiger by its lighter swallowtail build, its slimmer body and its slightly faster flight. True crows and tigers have clubbed antennae and a stouter, more languid look. A close photograph of the head and body usually settles the identification.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@graph”:[{“@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the scientific name of the common mime?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The scientific name of the common mime is Papilio clytia, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Many authors also place it in the genus Chilasa as Chilasa clytia. It belongs to the swallowtail family Papilionidae.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why is it called the common mime?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The common mime is called a mime because it imitates the appearance and flight of other butterflies. It copies distasteful crows and tigers, which birds and other predators avoid eating. The word “common” reflects that the species is fairly widespread within its forest range.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What does Batesian mimicry mean in the common mime?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Batesian mimicry means that a harmless species protects itself by looking like a harmful or distasteful one. The common mime is palatable, but it resembles the toxic tigers and crows of the subfamily Danainae. Predators that have learned to avoid the models also tend to avoid the mime.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What do common mime caterpillars eat?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Common mime caterpillars eat the leaves of trees in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Known host plants include Litsea, Cinnamomum, Persea and Actinodaphne. The female lays her eggs one at a time on tender young leaves.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Where can the common mime be seen in India?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The common mime can be seen in the forests of the Himalayan foothills, north-eastern India, the Western Ghats and parts of the Eastern Ghats. It prefers moist forest, shaded streams and forest edges. It is generally absent from dry plains.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How can you tell a common mime from a real crow or tiger butterfly?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”You can tell a common mime from a real crow or tiger by its lighter swallowtail build, its slimmer body and its slightly faster flight. True crows and tigers have clubbed antennae and a stouter, more languid look. A close photograph of the head and body usually settles the identification.”}}]}]}