Graphium agamemnon) is a predominantly green and black tropical butterfly
that belongs to the swallowtail family. The butterfly is also called Green
Spotted Triangle, Tailed Green Jay or the Green Triangle. It is a common,
non-threatened species native to India, Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia
and into Australia. Several geographic races are recognized.
Once found primarily close to wooded country where there is a fairly heavy
rainfall, the Tailed Jay is now very common at low elevations and regularly
seen in gardens and urban areas due to its foodplant, Polyalthia longifolia
(False Ashoka or Mast Tree), being widely used as an ornamental tree.
Strong and restless fliers, they are very active butterflies and flutter
their wings constantly even when at flowers. They are seldom seen drinking
from damp patches. The males are particularly fond of nectaring from flowers
such as Lantana, Ixora, Mussaenda and Poinsettia. The females are more
likely caught when looking for foodplants or laying eggs.
Tailed Jays are active throughout the year but their abundance depends
upon the local monsoon and availability of the larval host plants. The
butterflies generally fly among the tree-tops but descend to ground level
in search of flowers or host plants. Because of their relatively fast
life cycle (just over one month from egg to adult), Tailed Jays are multivoltine
and may produce up to 7–8 broods per year.
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