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Delias harpalyce
FOR DOCUMENTATION ONLY
Looking as big as a small bird in the sky, this large butterfly is said to have a wing span of 70 mm. The upper wing surfaces were a blinding white with dark patterns along the trailing margins and curving up the apices suggesting that this was male. The underside that appeared like a flash of black & colour is said to have yellow, red, black and white patterns.
In flight, the butterfly looked dark one minute and white the next - extremely attractive.
Spotted in a reserve - Mt Morgan (270 mt altitude)
These photos are just to document sightings of this butterfly. My husband spotted these first. We could not get better photos as there were two flying very high up among tree tops and did not settle.
Also called Imperial Jezebel
Thanks to MartinL for confirming the ID
Family Pieridae
http://australianbutterfliesphotographed...
Spotted on Oct 17, 2014
Submitted on Oct 17, 2014
4 Comments
Thanks Martin. Mark did say that it was D.harpalyce judging by the size and pattern. What a beauty - so wished he had come down from amidst the tree tops. Still it was wonderful to see him at all ! His mate was around to but disappeared after a while.
Well done Leuba.
This is clearly Delias harpalyce with a wide black margin on the hindwing. Aganippe has red dots right along the outer edge.
This is clearly a male based on the white top side.
Check this link for clear male female comparisons.
http://australianbutterfliesphotographed...
Thanks Pam. Just wished I had better photographic equipment - they were so fast. though.
About the galls, I will have a look at them.
Oh, nice one Leuba...
When you have time, will you please look at the galls from Churchill that i just posted? Can't remember the names!!