Lemon Migrant
Catopsilia pomona
This species exhibits striking seasonal polymorphism, with 'crocale' and 'pomona' forms that differ significantly in their wing markings and coloration.
- Scientific name
- Catopsilia pomona
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Pieridae › Catopsilia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open woodland edges, scrublands, parks, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from various flowers; caterpillars feed primarily on Cassia and Senna species.
- Range
- South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia
- Size
- Wingspan of 55 to 80 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 months (total life cycle)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, pesticide use in urban gardens, and loss of larval host plants.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless. Enjoy watching these rapid fliers as they puddle on damp soil or visit flowers. If one lands on you, remain still to avoid brushing off their delicate, powdery wing scales.
Catopsilia pomona , the common emigrant or lemon emigrant , is a medium-sized pierid butterfly found in Asia and parts of Australia. The species gets its name from its habit of migration. Some early authors considered them as two distinct species Catopsilia crocale and Catopsilia pomona .
Photo: sunnyjosef, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/6cde7d0f-15a7-4637-875b-bfa67f2957f2.md