Each Caterpillar constructs a shelter by cutting out a semicircular piece of leaf and attaching it with silk. They feed on leaves, including the inside of their shelter until it looks like a colander. They then construct a larger shelter, living there until that is eaten through, and so on. They pupate inside their last shelter.

The adults of this species are black with a metallic green sheen toward the base of each wing. The undersides are similar with white spots. The legs are orange. The butterflies have a wingspan of about 4 cms.

The species is found as various subspecies from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands, including doleschallii on the north-east coast of Australia (the Cape York Peninsula).

Further reading :

Michael F. Braby, Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp 76-77.

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