Common Rose Swallowtail Pachliopta aristolochiae

The "rose" in the name refers not to any flower but to the vivid red spots and red abdomen of this striking swallowtail — a warning to predators that it is genuinely toxic. The caterpillars feed on Aristolochia vines, absorbing poisonous aristolochic acids that persist through metamorphosis into the adult butterfly. This built-in chemical defense makes it a highly sought-after template for mimicry: several harmless butterfly species across South and Southeast Asia have evolved near-perfect copies of its wing pattern.

It is one of the most widely mimicked butterflies in Asia, a testament to just how effective its toxicity must be. Widespread in gardens and forests alike, it's among the most familiar swallowtails across the continent.