Catopsilia pyranthe

Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758 )
Common Migrant
COLIADINAE , PIERIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 13 July 2004)

Catopsilia pyranthe
(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

The Caterpillars of this species are cylindrical and green, with lateral yellow bands, and black dots on the head. They live alone and grow to a length of about 4 cms. They feed openly on various species of Senna ( CAESALPINIACEAE ), including the Australian natives :

Cigar Cassia ( Cassia brewsteri ),

Arsenic Bush ( Senna planitiicola ),

Pepper Leaf Senna ( Senna barclayana ),

Candle Bush ( Senna alata ),

Candlestick Cassia ( Senna venusta ), and

Sprawling CassiaSenna aciphylla ),

and the introduced

Popcorn Cassia ( Cassia didymobotrya ), and

Golden Shower Tree ( Cassia fistula ).

(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

The pupa is attached to a leaf or stem by cremaster and girdle. It has a length of about 3 cms.

female
(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The adult butterflies have a wingspan of about 5 cms. The upper surfaces of the wings are white. The males have a black tip to each forewing. The females have black margins around each wing, and a black dot on each forewing.

underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

Underneath, the wings are cream coloured, with pale brown freckles.

egg
(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

The eggs are white and spindle-shaped. They are laid singly on a leaf of a foodplant.

The species occurs across south-east Asia, from Sri-Lanka to the Solomons, and in Australia: including

Lord Howe Island,

Victoria, and

South Australia.