Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Butterflying - Delias eucharis (Common Jezebels)

Delias eucharis (Common Jezebels)



The butterflies are popularly known as Common Jezebels. Most species are gaudily patterned in red, yellow, black and white - the colours serving to advertise their unpalatable nature to would-be predators.It is unpalatable due to toxins accumulated by the larvae from the host plants.
The common Jezebel is one of the most common of the approximately 225 described species in the genus Delias.


Delias eucharis is nomadic in behaviour, and can be found in a wide variety of habitats including temperate hill forest, tropical rainforest, dry open woodland and beach hinterlands. 
It is a common species in flowery gardens, and commonly visits flowering bushes in towns.The butterfly may be found wherever there are trees, even in towns and cities, flying high among the trees and visiting flowers.


The butterflies spend much of their lives high in the tree tops where their larval foodplants grow as parasites on a variety of tree species. They can often be seen flying from tree to tree on sunny mornings. Periodically however both sexes will descend and embark on a "nectaring run", fluttering swiftly from garden to garden, pausing here and there for a moment to sip the nectar. When nectaring, the wings are usually kept fluttering to support the weight of the butterfly.
It rests with its wings closed exhibiting the brilliantly coloured underside.

References : 
https://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com
Wikipedia

pictures:
Puducherry (2019)

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