Delias aganippe
Delias aganippe, the wood white or red-spotted Jezebel,[1] is a butterfly in the family Pieridae.
| Delias aganippe | |
|---|---|
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| Delias aganippe. Sideview | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pieridae |
| Genus: | Delias |
| Species: | D. aganippe |
| Binomial name | |
| Delias aganippe (Donovan, 1805) | |
| Synonyms | |
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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]
.jpg.webp)
Male of Delias aganippe. Mounted specimen
Female of Delias aganippe. Upper and under sides
Illustration of Wood White Butterfly
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
- "Australian Faunal Directory". Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley Lepidoptera Larvae of Australia
- Funet