Quick answer
Great Mormon Swallowtail at a glance
The Great Mormon Swallowtail (Papilio memnon) is an invertebrate in the family Papilionidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Bali, Central Java. Diet: caterpillars eat citrus (Rutaceae) leaves; adults feed at flowers; a herbivore.
| Scientific name | Papilio memnon |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kupu kupu pastur |
| Group | Invertebrates |
| Family | Papilionidae |
| Observation records | West Java, Bali, Central Java |
| Taxonomic group | Lepidoptera |
| GBIF records | 835 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — caterpillars eat citrus (Rutaceae) leaves; adults feed at flowers · butterflycircle.blogspot.com |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · butterflycircle.blogspot.com |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · Butterfly Species (Papilio Memnon), IPB University biodiversity news, 6 Oct 2025 |
In this guide (12)
What is the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
Great Mormon Swallowtail refers to Papilio memnon, in the genus Papilio, family Papilionidae, and order Lepidoptera. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
Female great Mormon swallowtails occur in several colour forms, including mimics; these forms should not automatically be treated as different species.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 835 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Bali, Central Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
Record body or wing pattern, age and sex differences, and the plant or water body where the animal was seen. Leave nests and immature stages intact; one image may not support a certain identification. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Great Mormon Swallowtail with Lime Swallowtail, Great Eggfly, Blue Pansy. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Great Mormon Swallowtail
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae |
| Genus | Papilio |
| Species | Papilio memnon |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Great Mormon Swallowtail
What is the scientific name of the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
The scientific name of the Great Mormon Swallowtail is Papilio memnon, in the family Papilionidae and the order Lepidoptera. In Indonesian it is called Kupu kupu pastur.
What kind of animal is the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
The Great Mormon Swallowtail is an invertebrate in the family Papilionidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a caterpillars eat citrus (Rutaceae) leaves; adults feed at flowers.
Where does the Great Mormon Swallowtail live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Great Mormon Swallowtail summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Bali, Central Java. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Great Mormon Swallowtail eat?
The Great Mormon Swallowtail is a caterpillars eat citrus (Rutaceae) leaves; adults feed at flowers. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: butterflycircle.blogspot.com.
How does the Great Mormon Swallowtail reproduce?
The Great Mormon Swallowtail reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: butterflycircle.blogspot.com.
Is the Great Mormon Swallowtail nocturnal?
The cited source records the Great Mormon Swallowtail as diurnal (active by day). Source: Butterfly Species (Papilio Memnon), IPB University biodiversity news, 6 Oct 2025.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Great Mormon Swallowtail?
Scientific classification of the Great Mormon Swallowtail: kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae, genus Papilio, species Papilio memnon.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- butterflycircle.blogspot.com ↗
- Butterfly Species (Papilio Memnon), IPB University biodiversity news, 6 Oct 2025 ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Great Mormon Swallowtail (Papilio memnon). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/papilio-memnon/