A new butterfly drops by the garden

Common Mormon ( Papilio polytes romulus) settling on the Cats Tails leaves

 It was a very pleasant surprise this afternoon when I stumbled upon the Common Mormon.  It was seen flying about the garden in slow flight movements, which is typical of the species.  It hovered at the Yellow Ixora and moved about places to the heliconia leaves and many other plants in the garden.  When it decided to settle at the Cats Tails leaves for a brief rest a meter from where I stood, it spread out its wings to allow me a good photoshoot session.  The Common Mormon is a medium-sized 'swallow tail' with black wings.  Its hind wings have beautiful red marks  and a unique 'tail'.

Lime butterfly in the garden

 The Lemon and Calamansi (Limau Kasturi - Malay) are grown in the garden for their fruits and their appeal to butterflies, especially the lime butterfly.  This morning the lime butterfly was also attracted to the nectar of the ixora flowers.  There are many other types of butterflies that come visiting the garden as they should be.  This happening is critical in the Kambatik garden and bodes well for the future.  Of special significance today too is the ixora - a pastel orange that has revealed  its true colours only now.  I guess this variety would best be propagated for more cool colours in the garden in future.