Pachliopta hector
WINGSPAN 9 to 11cm (3½ to 4⅜in)
HABITAT Lowland rainforests, woodlands, farmland, city parks and gardens
DISTRIBUTION India and Sri Lanka
LIFESPAN From a few weeks to a year
MALES AND FEMALES Males and females are almost identical
With its striking red body and head, it’s easy to see why this swallowtail was named the Crimson Rose. An adaptable butterfly, the Rose wanders far and wide and feeds on the nectar of a range of wild flowers. At the height of migration it is common to see several thousand gathered together before they embark on their journey. The second part of the Latin name, ‘hector’, is a nod to the Greek hero and Trojan prince Hector. He was known as the greatest warrior of Troy, a character not unlike this butterfly, who thrived in his environment.