Biology:Delias aganippe

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Short description: Species of butterfly

Delias aganippe
Delias aganippe.jpg
Delias aganippe. Sideview
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Delias
Species:
D. aganippe
Binomial name
Delias aganippe
(Donovan, 1805)
Synonyms
  • Papilio aganippe Donovan, E. 1805

Delias aganippe, the wood white or red-spotted Jezebel,[1] is a butterfly in the family Pieridae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Australia . These butterflies can be found mainly in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and in the southern Western Australia. [2][3]

Description

Delias aganippe can reach a wingspan of about 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in). The upper surface of the wings shows a silver-grey color, with black margins and a row of white spots. Moreover the females have a round black spot in the middle of the forewinhìgs. In both sexes the under surface of the hindwings shows large yellow patches and subterminal bands of red spots. [2]

Biology

The caterpillars can reach a body length of about 4 cm (1.6 in). They are at first pale brown with a black head, then they become completely black, with small white spots. They feed gregariously on Santalaceae (Exocarpos, Santalum species) and Loranthaceae species (Amyema species).[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q1760088 entry