The Commander Butterfly (Moduza procris) is a classic ugly duckling turned swan story. These handsome butterflies begin their lives as ugly, spiky, creepy crawlies. It is notable for the mode of concealment employed by its caterpillar and the cryptic camouflage of its pupa.

Commander is a common butterfly distributed in India (peninsular India south of Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal to West Bengal, Northeast, Andaman), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka. Locally abundant, it is common from Sri Lanka to Maharashtra. It is rare in Gujarat and far more common in the Himalayas.

The Commander (Moduza procris), is a medium-sized, strikingly colored brush-footed butterfly with a wingspan of 60-75 mm. It prefers evergreen, semi evergreen, to moist deciduous forest regions having heavy to moderate rainfall. Often seen in the middle of urban areas. Commander is a swift flier, usually seen gliding in forest valleys, clearings and along roads. On the wing from February to December. Both sexes have prominent spots on both wings forming a discal band and some more scattered spots. Upper hind wing has two rows of sub marginal black spots on the tawny area. Under wing brightly patterned with grayish white markings on reddish brown.

It is also found close to villages or wherever its larval host-plant Mussaenda frondosa is found. It is most common in the post-monsoon months and winter.

The Commander can often be spotted basking with its wings pressed flat on exposed stones in streambeds. Individuals settle down on an exposed perch high up in the trees during the heat of the day. It regularly visits flowers from low-lying herbs to high up in the trees.