This is the fastest 'White' butterfly on
the wing .Its powerful muscles take it through the air
in great leaps and bounds with effortless ease and it is
capable of covering great distances in a single day.
It seldom spends much time near the ground but moves
about a great deal among the tree tops. However, when it
does decide to descend to nectar on low growing shrubs
and vines such as Lantana and Musaenda, it does so in
great swoops. While feeding on nectar, it keeps its
wings closed, particularly the female. In doing so, it
remains well camouflaged as a senescing leaf, which its
underside resembles. It is a somewhat wary butterfly,
difficult to approach closely, as it takes to the air at
any suspicion of danger. The males sometimes congregate
in numbers on drying up river beds during the dry
season. Here too, they are quite well camouflaged.
The eggs are laid on the upper side of the leaves, the
females sweeping down to get the job done very quickly
before flying away to another leaf or plant. The eggs
are usually laid on leaves at or near ground level. The
larvae are a uniform dark green and finely speckled on
the dorsal surface - this greatly enhances their
camouflage as it sits on the upper surface of leaves
along the midrib. If agitated or pecked, the larva
swiftly rears up to reveal a snake-like head that scares
away the potential predator. |
