The Common Jezebel Butterfly (Delias eucharis)
Delias eucharis,The Common Jezebel,is a medium-sized pierid butterfly found in many areas of south and Southeast Asia
The Jezebel often flies high up in the canopy and usually comes lower down only to feed on nectar in flowers. Due to this habit apparently, it has evolved a dull upperside and a brilliant underside so that birds below it recognise it immediately while in flight and at rest.
It has bright colouration to indicate the fact that it is unpalatable due to toxins accumulated by the larvae from the host plants.
Like other unpalatable butterflies the common Jezebel is mimicked by Prioneris sita, the painted sawtooth. The common Jezebel can be distinguished by the shape of the orange red spots on the hindwing. In the painted sawtooth these spots are very squarish whereas in the common Jezebel they are more arrow head shaped. The painted sawtooth also flies faster and will also mudpuddle.