Delias aganippe, the wood white or red-spotted Jezebel,[1] is a butterfly in the family Pieridae.
This species is endemic to Australia. These butterflies can be found mainly in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and in the southern Western Australia. [2][3]
Delias aganippe can reach a wingspan of about 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in). The upper surface of the wings shows a silver-grey color, with black margins and a row of white spots. Moreover the females have a round black spot in the middle of the forewinhìgs. In both sexes the under surface of the hindwings shows large yellow patches and subterminal bands of red spots. [2]
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Male of Delias aganippe. Mounted specimen
Female of Delias aganippe. Upper and under sides
Illustration of Wood White Butterfly
The caterpillars can reach a body length of about 4 cm (1.6 in). They are at first pale brown with a black head, then they become completely black, with small white spots. They feed gregariously on Santalaceae (Exocarpos, Santalum species) and Loranthaceae species (Amyema species).[2]
