Lemon Emigrant - Catopsilia pomona

Lemon Emigrant - Catopsilia pomona

Another common butterfly in South Asia - called as Lemon or common emigrant. This species is known for the migration in flocks, community puddling and the activity. Grown individual is a fast flier and very much active during season. It prefers nectoring on flower such as Indian screw tree, Lantana and cosmos flower. I have seen this butterfly flying very high above the ground, specially towards the top of trees such as acacia spp. for nectoring, egg laying.

Early stages:

Female lay plenty of eggs but not in a group. Rice-grain-shaped eggs are laid on the leaves of common trees like golden shower tree. Caterpillar feeds on leaves and can grow up to ~5 cm in length. Pupa is like a typical pierid butterfly pupa, connected to leaf by two threads with another end attached directly to leaf.

Adults:

Adult has characteristic lemon color and has wingspan of about 55 mm. Male is plan and female has some black markings on upper side of wings. Catilla form is uncommon and has dark brown patches on under wings. 

 Egg of Common Emigrant

Front and side view of Comm. Emigrant caterpillar

Backlit pupa of Common Emigrant

Eclosion sequence of common emigrant