Common Glider

Characteristics

A Nymphalid butterfly with three white lines running on its blackish-brown wings. The color of the wings is not completely black, but looks brownish when held up to the light. The white line near the head becomes thicker toward the tip of the wing and is discontinued at the end. The line is thinner and sharper in the similar red-crested butterfly, and does not break to the tip of the wing. The body is brown, but when the light hits it, it looks shiny green.

They often have their wings open when perched on leaves. After flapping its wings several times, it opens its wings and glides. Compared to the swallowtail butterfly, I feel that the flight power is not so high.

Ecology

They live mainly around forests, but can also be seen in residential areas. It emerges from around April and is active until the end of autumn. Adults suck nectar from flowers. Larvae feed on leguminous plants such as kudzu and clover.

Habitat

I photographed an individual at the edge of a forest in Naganuma Park, Hachioji City. It perched with its wings open where the sunlight was shining. It once flew off with caution, but flew around several meters and returned to the top of the original leaf.

There is an impression that you can see it in a place where there is a little shade.