Glassy Tiger

Description:

The sexes are alike, other than for the two scent pouches found on the hindwing of the male. These are faintly visible on its underside. The background of both sides of both wings is dark brownish-black in colour, with glassy white markings. The forewing cell only has a streak which divides distally. Two other broad lines arise from the base of the forewing below the cell. There are some dustings above the cell, but they never form a distinct line.

Notes:

This is a moderately fast, casual flier which feeds on flowers of herbs and scrubs. Males have a special attraction to dead Heliotropium indicum plants, since these plants provide the toxic requirement necessary for their survival and breeding process. Males extrude yellow coloured hair pencils from the back of their abdomen to attract females. It is a migratory species.The Glassy Tiger prefers both scrublands and lush gardens full of flowers. It is common throughout the country but is quite low in number in the extreme north and the highest hills.