Delias harpalyce

Delias harpalyce, the imperial white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is endemic to Australia.

Delias harpalyce
Live individual, ventral view
Museum specimen, dorsal view
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Delias
Species:
D. harpalyce
Binomial name
Delias harpalyce
Donovan, 1805

Description

The wingspan of Delias harpalyce reaches about 60–70 millimetres (2.4–2.8 in). The upper surfaces of the forewings and hindwings are a whitish with black margins and a row of whitish small spots on the apex of the forewings. In the females the black outer edges of the wings are wider than in males. The undersides of the wings are chequered whitish and black, with a yellow band on the apex of the forewings and a red band on the middle of the hindwings.[1][2]

The larvae are about 4 cm in length, with a black body covered by white hairs. These gregarious caterpillars spin a silken web on their host plants (Amyema, Muellerina and Dendrophthoe species).[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, and southern Australia). It lives in the eucalypt forests.[1][2]

References
  1. "Butterfly House". Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  2. Oz Animals
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