IUCN RED LIST
Established in 1964, The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups, through criteria such as rate of decline, population size and area of geographic distribution as:
- Extinct (EX) – This species is no longer extant
- Extinct in the wild (EW) – Survives only in captivity, or through cultivation often outside native range
- Critically endangered (CR) – In an extremely critical state
- Endangered (EN) – Very high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable (VU) – At high risk of unnatural (human-caused) extinction
- Near Threatened (NT) – Close to being endangered in the near future
- Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant in the wild
- Data Deficient (DD) – Inadequate information to assess extinction risk
- Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been assessed
The wings are black with striking pale green to bluish-green spots and bands. The underside resembles the upper side but is generally paler. The species lacks the tail extensions typical of many swallowtail butterflies.
The Common Jay is a fast-flying, highly active butterfly known for its swift and erratic flight. It rarely settles for long periods and frequently visits flowers, damp soil, and puddles. Males are often observed mud-puddling to obtain essential minerals.
The Common Jay is primarily a resident species. However, local seasonal dispersal and movements may occur in response to rainfall, food availability, and habitat conditions.
Females lay eggs singly on the leaves of host plants, primarily species belonging to the family Annonaceae. Breeding occurs throughout the year in tropical regions, with increased activity during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons when host plants are abundant.
Its rapid and agile flight helps it evade predators. The green spotted wing pattern provides camouflage among foliage. The caterpillars possess protective coloration and osmeteria (defensive organs) that emit deterrent chemicals when threatened. The caterpillar can extend a forked orange defensive organ called an osmeterium when disturbed.
Adult butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants. They are also attracted to moist soil, animal droppings, and decaying organic matter for minerals. Caterpillars feed on leaves of host plants such as Polyalthia, Annona, and Uvaria species.
The Common Jay inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, woodland edges, gardens, parks, plantations, and urban green spaces.
