About Papilio dravidarum Wood-Mason, 1880
Papilio dravidarum, commonly called the Malabar raven, is a blackish-brown tailless swallowtail butterfly. It ranges in size from 80 to 100 mm. Both sexes are similar in appearance, and both are mimics of the unpalatable common crow (Euploea core). The upper surface of the forewing has a small white spot at the end of the cell, a complete regular row of equal-sized marginal white spots, and a terminal series of spots that decrease in size toward the apex. The upper surface of the hindwing has a discal series of arrow-shaped white spots, plus a submarginal series of elongated white crescent-shaped markings. There is a white fringe between the veins, and the outer halves of the wings have a dusting of yellowish brown scales. This butterfly is found in South India, occurring specifically in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh. It frequents the heavy jungles of the Western Ghats, at elevations between 300 and 910 m (1,000 and 3,000 feet). It has been recorded in January, and from March to October. It completes two to three broods per year. In Coorg, recorded broods occur from September to October, November to December, and April to May. In Karnataka, it has been recorded in July and September. Males appear to outnumber females. Its confirmed food plant is Glycosmis pentaphylla of the family Rutaceae. Clausena heptaphylla has also been noted as an additional food plant.
