Found in temperate regions across nearly every continent except Antarctica, thereâs no mistaking the dragon headed caterpillar.
Despite having nearly 400 variations in this species, dragon head caterpillars are known for the tell-tale âhead capsulesâ which resemble wide set horns. While it may seem strange, this fierce and even intimidating caterpillar wonât look like this forever. The dragon headed caterpillar only represents a small fragment in the life of a butterfly, the common nawab to be exact. Once it undergoes metamorphosis, this tiny dragon will trade its bright green and horns for brightly color wings.
The butterfly is called polyura athamas, the common nawab, a species of fast-flying canopy butterfly found in tropical Asia. It belongs to the Charaxinae (rajahs and nawabs) in the brush-footed butterfly family (Nymphalidae).
It occurs in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim, the hills of central India and the Eastern Ghats, the Western Ghats and southern India, Sri Lanka, Assam, Cachar, and via Myanmar, Cambodia and the Tenasserim Hills far into Indonesia.
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