Delias mysis

(Delias mysis)

Description

Delias mysis, the Union Jack or red-banded Jezebel, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is endemic to northern Australia, New Guinea and neighbouring islands. The common name is a reference to the flag of the British Empire. The butterfly was given this name, because the patterns and colours on the underside of the wings of the males resembles the flag. The species has a wide variety in colours and patterns, hence a great deal of subspecies have been named. The wingspan is 60–70 mm. The larvae feed on mistletoe species, especially Dendrophthoe glabrescens.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Pieridae
Genus:Delias
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