The White Dragontail, or Lamproptera curius, is a tiny and unique swallowtail butterfly that you can find in South Asia and Southeast Asia. This little critter belongs to the Dragontails group within the Swallowtail family, and it holds the title of being the tiniest member in that whole family. Its wings are a beautiful mix of black, white, and transparent patches, making it quite eye-catching. What really stands out is its long tail on each hindwing – just like a mini dragon tail! In flight, its movements are quick and unpredictable, much like a dragonfly. It probably gets its name from this similarity.
Physical Features and Characteristics of Lamproptera curius (The White Dragontail) Butterfly
The top surface of the butterfly exhibits a muted brownish-black hue. The forewing boasts several unique characteristics. A wide white band extends diagonally from the upper to the lower part of the wing's inner section. The outer portion of this band is transparent, resembling glass. Following the white band is a clear, triangular space not attached to the edges of the wing, exhibiting prominent black veins throughout. A uniformly wide black band lies between the partially transparent band and the clear area, slightly tapering in the middle. The periphery of the wing near its upper and lower boundaries is accentuated by a broad black border that widens as it approaches the wingtip. Additionally, the tiny hairs found at the edge of the wings, known as cilia, are also black.
The hindwing of the butterfly has some interesting features too. The white band that we saw on the forewing continues straight across and comes to a point on the outer part of a 3rd numbered vein of the hindwing. However, unlike the transparent appearance of the band on the forewing, the outer edge of this white band on the hindwing is not so. The posterior half of the wing is a dull dark brown color. Towards the base of the long, narrow tail, which is located at the 4th numbered vein, some white scales sprinkled among the brown color can be seen. The tiny hairs on the wing's edges, called cilia, are mostly black, but below the 5th numbered vein and along the outer side of the tail's base, they are white. The tip of the tail is also white.
On the underside of the butterfly's wings, the colors are a bit different. The overall color is a solid opaque brownish-black. There is a broad, somewhat blurry streak of earthy gray along the base of the wings, extending slightly down the upper edge of the hindwing and along the front edge of the forewing. On the hindwing, the oblique white band is connected to a short, curvy white line that goes from the upper edge of the wing to its tip. Just below this line, there are several irregular white spots in the corner area of the wing.
The antennae, head, and thorax of the butterfly are black, while the abdomen is dark brownish black. On the underside, the palpi (mouthparts), thorax, and abdomen have a grayish tone. The claws of the butterfly's feet are split into two.
The Male White Dragontail butterfly frequents open riverbanks within forests. Unlike other butterfly species that group together, these prefer to puddle separately typically on nearby sand. Females are generally larger and have broader wings than the males
The male and female White Dragontails (Lamproptera curius) look very similar but there are certain differences. In the male, there is a distinct mark or brand that indicates its sex while the female does not have such sex marks. Both males and females have white bands on the forewing but it is narrower in females. Similarly, the tip of the tail is slightly curved in males but in females, they are fully straight. Also, the male has a longer tail. Further, antennae are slender and pointed in males while in females, they are less so and a bit more clubbed.
In addition to these physical differences, there are also some behavioral differences between male and female White Dragontail. Males are more active and often seen flying around in search of mates. Females are more reclusive and spend most of their time resting on leaves or flowers.
It is usually found in its habitat range of 500-1500 meters above sea level. When it's thirsty, this butterfly has an interesting way of drinking. It squirts water out from its abdomen while taking sips. You won't find seasonal differences in this butterfly's appearance. You'll often see them hovering around their favorite plants, restless and rarely taking a break for too long.
These can be spotted as early as February, all the way through December each year. Their numbers gradually grow from February and experience two surges - one in June and July, and another in October and November. You can often find dozens of them gracefully fluttering around their favorite plants, seeking out mates. The host plant of Lamproptera curius is Illigera platyandra and Illigera celebica in the family Hernandiaceae.
Life Cycle of Lamproptera curius (The White Dragontail) Butterfly
Like all butterflies, the Lamproptera curius undergoes four distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly. This entire process takes approximately six weeks. Initially, individual eggs are laid atop leaves, particularly young ones, and are characterized by their round shape and greenish-yellow hue.
Once the egg hatches, the larval stage commences. Early on, the White Dragontail butterfly larva has a black body that transitions to an apple green color in later instars. It also develops three slim yellow stripes and a smoother overall texture. The black hue narrows above the abdomen's prolegs before widening again towards the larva's tail end. Above the prolegs are yellow-ochre sides, while the head is green with four large black spots on top and two smaller ones near the jaw.
Following the final larval instar, the pupal stage begins. The pupa's color progresses from green to emerald during its development. It then assumes an upright position as it attaches itself to a silken pad on a leaf's underside via its cremaster.
Upon full pupal development, the adult butterfly emerges from its chrysalis—allowing time for its wings to both dry and harden. With wingspans ranging between 25-40MM on average, adult White Dragontail butterflies acquire energy by gathering nectar from flowers. They participate in activities such as mating and scouting for prime locations to deposit their eggs. Consequently, a new generation arises as females lay their eggs and restart the cycle again.
Discovering the Lamproptera curius (The White Dragontail) Butterfly in Nepal: Season and Locations
As mentioned above, the White Dragontail butterfly is found in South and Southeast Asia including Nepal. Till now, it is also not endangered. Hence it will not be that difficult to spot it during the favorable period in its habitat in the range of 500-1500 meters above sea level, which is almost around the year.
Conclusion
To sum up, the White Dragontail butterfly is not currently classified as endangered. Nonetheless, it's essential to acknowledge the broader issues that all living organisms confront due to aspects like climate change, pollution, and urbanization. These hazards can considerably influence nature's delicate equilibrium, encompassing the habitats and populations of numerous species. Being aware of our actions, respecting the environment, and implementing measures to diminish these dangers are all vital. By encouraging conservation initiatives, increasing awareness, and embracing eco-friendly practices, we can aid in the preservation of not just the White Dragontail butterfly but also the overall health of our natural world. Let's actively work towards safeguarding and valuing the diverse creatures that populate our planet.