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The Common Rose may sound modest, but Pachliopta aristolochiae ceylonica is anything but. Endemic to Sri Lanka, this dazzling swallowtail flutters through forests and gardens alike with velvety black wings, pale streaks, and crimson crescents that practically glow along its hindwings. Its body is equally dramatic—black with fiery vermilion on the head and thorax, as if dressed for a masquerade. But don’t let its elegance fool you: this butterfly is toxic, thanks to its caterpillar’s diet of Aristolochia leaves, and it’s not shy about advertising it. Even its slow, confident flight warns predators to think twice, and when pushed, it’ll release a foul smell just to drive the point home. In fact, it's so convincing that lookalikes like the Harmodious Mimic have evolved to confuse would-be predators. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery—but in this case, it’s also survival strategy.
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824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94110
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