The Common Emigrant Butterfly, scientifically known as Catopsilia Pumona, is a beautiful medium-sized butterfly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and some parts of Africa within an altitude of up to 2000 meters above sea level. They enjoy a diverse range of habitats including forests, grasslands, and gardens. These beautiful butterflies feed on nectar from flowers and moisture from dewdrops and other sources.
The butterflies are known for their migratory habits and can be seen flying in groups along rivers, which serve as migration corridors between their high and low-elevation breeding sites. During these migrations, males often gather in large groups on sunny riverbanks and sandbars to drink water with minerals. Both male and female butterflies commonly visit flowers, such as Lantana and Jatropha.
The life cycle of the Common Emigrant Butterfly starts with the egg, usually laid on host plants including Cassia fistula, Senna siamea, and Butea monosperma. These eggs are yellowish-white and hatch into larvae after 3 to 4 days. The caterpillars, which are yellowish-green in color with black markings, feed on host plant leaves. Later, they pupate and emerge as adult butterflies.
The adult Common Emigrant Butterfly has a beautiful wingspan of 55 to 80mm. The forewing is yellow with a black border and a black spot at the cell ends while the hind wing is yellow with a black border and several black sub-marginal markings. On the underside of the wings, there are several red-ringed silvery spots at the cell ends, and the hind wing has also black sub-marginal markings.
In Nepal, The Common Emigrant Butterfly is more common in the Terai region. These insects are active throughout the year, but they are most abundant during the spring and summer months.