A butterfly is a flying insect of the order Lepidoptera belonging to one of the super families of Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea. These insects are remarkable for their striking colours and beautiful patterns on their wings.

Kerala is home to about 330 varieties of butterflies. Of these, 37 are native to this region.

India belongs to the oriental zoological region and the geographical features of this part of land are well reflected in the flora and fauna of Kerala, too.

Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) belongs to the Swallowtail group of butterflies. It is common in the wooded regions of southern India and in the Himalayas.

The upper side of an adult butterfly is black coloured. The wings are elongate and triangular with brilliant turquoise blue or white band, pointed at the tip and a few rounded spots extending to the apex. The underside is brownish. The wingspan is 80-90mm.

For food, Common Blue Bottles depend upon natural baits such as rotting insects. They visit the flowers of Lantana, too. These are very nervous butterflies and it is not easy to catch them.

Apart from India, Blue Bottles are found in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.

Courtesy: http://birdwingtours.com/