Common Crow Butterfly: All You Need to Know in a Quick Guide

The common crow butterfly is a fascinating species known for its distinctive appearance and intriguing behaviors. This butterfly is easily recognizable with its striking black wings and white spots, making it a popular sighting for both amateur and seasoned butterfly enthusiasts.

Along with its captivating appearance, the common crow butterfly exhibits unique survival strategies to protect itself from predators. For instance, this species is known for its unpalatable taste, which deters predators from attempting to eat them. Additionally, these butterflies are exceptionally strong fliers, allowing them to swiftly escape any potential danger.

To fully appreciate the common crow butterfly, it’s essential to understand its life cycle, habitat, and the role it plays within the ecosystem. Armed with this knowledge, one can easily be captivated by the beauty and complexity of this fascinating species.

Common Crow Butterfly Overview

Identification of Males and Females

The Common Crow butterfly shows subtle differences between males and females. Males have smaller, distinct scent pads. In contrast, females have larger, rounder abdomens.

Wingspan and Appearance

Common Crow butterflies exhibit a wingspan of about 8 to 9 cm. They possess black or dark brown wings adorned with white spots.

• Wings: Black or dark brown
• Spots: White

Their appearance warns predators of their unpalatable nature due to toxins they accumulate from feeding on plants as larvae.

Geographical Distribution

These butterflies are mainly found in Asia and Australia. They inhabit diverse habitats, such as woodlands, rainforests, and urban areas.

• Asia: Various countries
• Australia: Widespread

Comparison Table: Males vs. Females

Life Cycle and Habits

Larva and Caterpillars

The life cycle of the common crow butterfly begins with the egg stage, followed by the larva stage. During the larval stage, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of the host plants to grow and develop. Some host plants for common crow butterfly caterpillars include:

• Oleander
• Milkweed

Caterpillars go through several transformations called instars. Common characteristics of common crow butterfly caterpillars:

• Black or brown body
• White dots
• Spiky appearance

Pupa and Chrysalis

After reaching a certain size, caterpillars find a suitable spot for pupation. They form a protective shell called the chrysalis. The pupal stage involves:

• Complete metamorphosis
• Internal restructuring

During this stage, the caterpillar’s body transforms into an adult butterfly.

Adult Butterfly Behavior

Once the metamorphosis is complete, the adult common crow butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. A few key behaviors of adult butterflies include:

• Mating
• Egg-laying
• Feeding on nectar

Adult common crow butterflies are known for their distinctive appearance:

• Black wings with white spots
• Wingspan of 8-9 cm

These butterflies are capable of long migratory flights and have a strong sense of direction.

Feeding and Diet

Nectar Sources

The Common Crow Butterfly primarily feeds on nectar from various plants such as:

• Oleander (Nerium oleander): A highly toxic plant but a favorite nectar source for these butterflies.
• Trachelospermum: A flowering plant that provides a rich source of nectar.
• Figs (Ficus religiosa): A tree with flowers that are an excellent nectar source.
• Eucalypts: A group of plants that produce nectar-rich flowers for butterflies, in addition to honeybees and other pollinators.

To attract Common Crow Butterflies, you can have these nectar-producing plants in your garden.

Larval Food Plants

When it comes to the larval stage, the Common Crow caterpillar primarily feeds on several plant species including:

• Nerium oleander: Same as the nectar source for adults; caterpillars can tolerate its toxins.
• Hemidesmus indicus: A valuable herb used traditionally for medicinal purposes.
• Cryptolepis buchananii: A twining plant native to Asian countries.

These larval food plants play a crucial role in supporting the growth and development of the caterpillars. Planting these in your butterfly garden will increase the chances of nurturing a new generation of Common Crow butterflies.

In conclusion, the Common Crow Butterfly thrives when provided with diverse nectar sources for adults and larval food plants for caterpillars. As a result, creating habitats that cater to these specific dietary needs will ensure the growth and conservation of these beautiful creatures in your garden.

Defense Mechanisms and Adaptations

Toxins and Inedibility

The Common Crow Butterfly has developed several ways to protect itself, one of them being the production of toxins. These toxins make the butterfly inedible to many predators. Here are some features of the toxins that Common Crow Butterfly contains:

• Derived from their diet, mainly from plants in the family Asclepiadaceae
• Stored in their body tissues, making them unpalatable to predators

For example, birds which are one of their potential predators usually avoid consuming the Common Crow Butterfly due to their toxins and inedible nature.

Predators and Natural Enemies

In addition to having toxins and inedibility as a defense, the Common Crow Butterfly also faces threats from various predators and natural enemies. Some of these include:

• Spiders
• Dragonflies
• Birds
• Wasps

Below is a comparison table of these predators and their relationship with the Common Crow Butterfly:

Despite the presence of these predators, the Common Crow Butterfly’s adaptations, such as toxins and inedibility, help them stay protected in their natural environment, ensuring their survival among other danaids.

Habitat and Distribution

Australian Regions

The Common Crow Butterfly is prevalent in various regions across Australia. Some specific areas where they thrive include:

• Queensland: This butterfly species is frequently found in Queensland’s open forests and woodland areas.
• New South Wales: In New South Wales, the Common Crow Butterfly is often seen in both urban and rural habitats.
• Victoria: Although less common in Victoria, they can still be spotted in suitable environments like open woodlands.

South Asian Regions

Moving beyond Australia, the Common Crow Butterfly is also known to inhabit South Asian regions. Notable locations are:

• Sri Lanka: A favorable destination for the Common Crow Butterfly, particularly in open forests and woodland habitats.

To better understand the distribution of the Common Crow Butterfly, here’s a comparison table:

The Common Crow Butterfly adapts well to different environments, making it a widespread species in these specific regions.

Conservation and Interaction with Humans

The Common Crow Butterfly finds itself in a unique position due to its interaction with humans and conservation efforts. They are known for their strong, swift flight as well as their striking wings, which display characteristic features such as:

• Iridescent scales
• Clubbed antennae
• Vibrant colors

Aggregations of these butterflies often attract attention due to their mesmerizing scent and appearance, influencing people’s curiosity and appreciation.

Conservation of their natural habitats is crucial in maintaining the Common Crow Butterfly’s population. The protection of host plants, nectar sources, and suitable breeding grounds all play a significant part in supporting their existence. Increased awareness helps in ensuring that these creatures continue to coexist with humans without negative impacts.

Table: Comparison of features in Common Crow Butterfly and Monarch Butterfly

While the Common Crow Butterfly doesn’t face the same challenges as some other butterfly species like the Monarch Butterfly, preserving their habitat remains a priority.

Ultimately, the mutual relationship between humans and the Common Crow Butterfly can significantly impact conservation efforts. By appreciating and understanding their unique characteristics, we can better support these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Common Crow Caterpillar from Australia

Caterpillar ID
I was hoping you could help me identify these two caterpillars. The brown and green coloured ones (I assume two colour variations of the same species) are on a Taro plant. The tiny caterpillar with the egg is a freshly hatched caterpillar of the same species. The second caterpillar is on a small fig tree. I was thinking perhaps it could be related to a Monarch as they were the most similar pictures i could find. I am located in the Brisbane area, Queensland. By the way, love your site. Do you know of any good Australian caterpillar/butterfly Id sites? I have done lot’s of searching but haven’t come across anything anywhere near as good as this site. Thanks for your help!
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,
The brown and green Sphinx Moth caterpillars will be very difficult for us to get a species identification, and we cannot spend the hours of online searching it will take. You will have to be satisfied with just the family Sphingidae. The gloriously beautiful Danainae caterpillar is related to the Monarch. It is the Common Australian Crow, Euploea core corinna. Your caterpillar photo is stunning. Regarding a good site for Australian Butterflies, try http://www.geocities.com/brisbane_butters/index.html though we here at What’s That Bug? are seriously thinking of applying for grant money to set up What’s That Australian Bug? or What’s That Bug Down Under? since we get so many fabulous letters from Australia with wonderful photos. Sadly, right now it is just a thought.

Letter 2 – Beautiful Australian Butterfly Chrysalis: Common Crow

What is this cocoon?
I discovered this casing this morning on a bougainvilliea plant in my garden. I’m in Sydney, Australia. No idea what it is, never seen anything as shiny as this before. I really didn’t think it was real at first.
Caroline

Hi Caroline,
Offhand, we don’t know what species of butterfly your beautiful Chrysalis will become. Perhaps we can find out with a bit of research.

I have been trying to find out about it, and think this is it! Turns out it is very common. Very strange then that anyone I’ve asked has never seen one before (of course we’ve seen the butterfly though). I THINK it’s the Oleander Butterfly or Common Crow.

Letter 3 – Common Crow Chrysalis from Australia

cocoon
February 27, 2010
never seen one of these before hanging off my fence maybe you could help identify it
thanks justin
cairns north queensland australia

Hi Justin,
We were struck by the similarity in appearance between your chrysalis and that of a Monarch Butterfly, so we did a quick web search for the Chrysalis of a Common Crow, a related species found in Australia.  The image that popped up from the Australian Museum website is nearly identical to your image. The Oz Animals website has nice images of the adult and caterpillar as well as this distinctive chrysalis of the Common Crow, Euploea core.

Letter 4 – Common Crow Caterpillar

Three Orange, Black & White caterpillars found in Cairns, Qld, Australia
March 14, 2010
Hi there, I found three orange caterpillars with black and white stripes today. They have six black spikes near their head and two on the back. They have a white stripe on their head. I’m going to try and raise them and just wondering what kind of butterfly they may turn into. Any info appreciated. Thanks! 🙂
Oriana Smith
Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Hi Oriana,
Your caterpillar is one of the Milkweed Butterflies, the Common Australian Crow, Euploea core corinna, and you can see photos of the lovely adult butterfly on the Brisbane Insect Website.

Letter 5 – Common Crow Caterpillar

Common Crow Caterpillar
oh i just took a photo of one of these a couple of days ago!  i’m new to the site so once i figure out how to post it, i will!

Common Crow Caterpillar
March 16, 2010
Hello!
I took a great photo of a common crow caterpillar a couple of days ago, and i just wanted to share! here ya go!
Kimberly
Brisbane, Australia

Hi Kimberly,
Welcome to our humble website.  We are thrilled to have received your excellent photo of a Common Crow Caterpillar to add to our archives.  According to the Australian Museum website, the Common Crow is also called the Oleander Butterfly because the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of oleander as well as milkweed.  The website lists the food plants for the caterpillar:  “The female Common Crow Butterfly lays its eggs on the leaves of plants that have a milky sap. In Sydney, these include: oleander (Nerium oleander, Family Apocynaceae), and two species of figs (Family Moraceae), the Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) and the Weeping Fig (F. benjamina). Other food plants include garden plants such as Chilean Jasmine (Mandevillea laxa), Chinese Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), Stephanotis spp, and Milkweeds (Asclepias spp).“