Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758 )
Common Migrant
COLIADINAE ,
PIERIDAE
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 13 July 2004)
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 :
Brewster's Cassia ( Cassia brewsteri ),
Arsenic Bush ( Senna planitiicola ),
Pepper Leaf Senna ( Senna barclayana ),
Candle Bush ( Senna alata ),
Candlestick Cassia ( Senna venusta ), and
Senna aciphylla,
and the introduced
Popcorn Cassia ( Cassia didymobotrya ), and
Golden Shower Tree ( Cassia fistula ).
(Specimen: courtesy of the
The Australian Museum)
The pupa is attached to a leaf or stem by cremaster and girdle.
It has a length of about 3 cms.
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.
female
(Specimen: courtesy of the
The Australian Museum)
Underneath, the wings are cream coloured,
with pale brown freckles.
underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the
The Australian Museum)
The species occurs across south-east Asia,
from Sri-Lanka to the Solomons,
and in Australia: including
Lord Howe Island,
Victoria, and
South Australia.
Further reading :
Michael F. Braby,
Butterflies of Australia,
CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 289-291.
