Common Baron butterfly

Tropical and subtropical forests, orchards, and urban gardens mainly in South and Southeast Asia.

Adults feed on rotting fruit, nectar, and tree sap; larvae (caterpillars) primarily feed on the leaves of mango and cashew trees.

The caterpillar is famous for its extreme camouflage, looking identical to the midrib of a mango leaf. Adults are low-flying with a rapid, gliding flight style and are commonly seen basking on leaves.

They are major pollinators and contribute to biodiversity. However, the larvae can occasionally become minor pests in mango orchards due to foliage consumption.