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The Common Rose is a common and very colorful butterfly found in Goa belonging to the group of red bodied swallowtails. It has a wide distribution in India and can be found in myriad habitats and at varied elevations.

The common rose sequesters toxins from its host plants during its larval stage to render it unpalatable to predators. Its bright red body and strikingly colored wings advertise its unpalatability and the butterfly flies around boldly at any time of the day with slow and confident wingbeats.

Caterpillar of the Common rose

This butterfly can fly continuously and never seems to stop. Even whist feeding on nectar its wings beat steadily. The forewings provide it with buoyancy and thrust while the hindwings serve to steer and adjust its position.

Notice the brown pupa cocoon that the butterfly has just emerged out of in the pictures below!