Delias aganippe, the wood white or red-spotted Jezebel,[1] is a butterfly in the family Pieridae.
The Red Spotted Jezebel (Delias aglaia) is a striking butterfly known for its vibrant and contrasting coloration. The upper side of the forewings is predominantly black with a white band, which appears grey in males and cream in females . The underside of the hindwings showcases bright red and yellow spots https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/64821 . Notably, the hindwings are without tails, and the butterfly features clubbed antennae. With a wingspan reaching up to 7 cm, this butterfly is both conspicuous and visually captivating https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/64821 .Delias aganippe can reach a wingspan of about 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in) https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/64821 . The upper surface of the wings shows a silver-grey colour, with black margins and a row of white spots. Moreover, the females have a round black spot in the middle of the forewings. In both sexes, the underside of the hindwings shows large yellow patches and subterminal bands of red spots
Red Spotted Jezebels are most commonly observed during the summer months. Their life cycle is closely linked to mistletoe plants, on which they breed https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/12254. Males are known to patrol the tallest trees on hills and ridges, awaiting the emergence of females to mate https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/12254. The eggs are laid in clusters, and the caterpillars exhibit gregarious behaviour in their early stages, feeding together on mistletoe leaves during the day. As they mature, the caterpillars become more solitary. The pupae, or cocoons, have a distinctive appearance, resembling bird droppings, which likely serves as a protective camouflage against predators https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/12254. Behaviour
Adult Red Spotted Jezebels exhibit a gliding flight with wings fully outspread, interspersed with a series of relatively short yet rapid wing beats; this flight pattern is somewhat faster than that of other Jezebel specieshttps://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false. They are frequently observed feeding on the flowers of eucalypts and their mistletoe host plants. Males are known to congregate on hilltops where they fly high and patrol the canopy of the tallest trees. At least two generations are completed annually in southeastern Australia https://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false. Adults are migratory, although their movement patterns are complex and not entirely understood. In certain years, adults reach northeastern Queensland but do not breed or only breed temporarily https://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false. The typical habitats include eucalypt open-forest and woodland, and mallee woodland, particularly in lower rainfall areas where their larval food plants grow as parasitic trees or mistletoes https://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false .
This species is endemic to Australia. These butterflies can be found mainly in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and in southern Western Australia. Generally common and widespread, less abundant in coastal areas of Queensland and ne. New South Wales https://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false.
The Red Spotted Jezebel thrives in a wide range of habitats where mistletoe plants are present. These habitats include wet heathlands, mallee, woodlands, dry forests, wet forests, grasslands, and even urban areas https://books.google.com.au/books?id=iwzbCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Adults+have+a+gliding+flight+with+wings+outspread,+interspersed+by+a+series+of+relatively+short+but+rapid+wing+beats;+the+flight+is+somewhat+faster+than+that+of+other+Jezebels.+They+frequently+feed+from+flowers+of+eucalypts+and+the+mistletoe+food+plants.+Males+congregate+on+hilltops+where+they+fly+high+and+patrol+the+canopy+of+the+tallest+trees.+At+least+two+generations+completed+annually+in+se.+Australia.+Adults+migrate+but+eh+movement+patterns+are+complex+and+not+fully+understood;+in+some+years+adults+reach+ne.+QLD+but+do+not+breed+or+only+breed+temporarily.+Habitat+eucalypt+open-forest+and+woodland+and+mallee+woodland,+especially+in+the+lower+rainfall+areas,+where+its+larval+food+plants+grow+as+parasitic+trees+or+mistletoes.&source=bl&ots=ky5Thlyc0k&sig=ACfU3U0QLqZemA5l-3SvsiNpPcwieX5smg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB_5Dzk9yGAxWrS2wGHWi8AJ0Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Two seasonal forms
A. linophylla, A. miquelii, A. preissii, A. quandang, E. strictus, Santalum acuminatum, S. lancelolatum, S. spicatum .
• Animal Type: Butterflies & moths• Animal SubType: Whites & Jezebels• Brief Id: The bright red spots in its name can be found on the underside of the hindwing, along with splashes of yellow.• Colours: Brown, Black, White, Yellow, Red• Maximum Size: 7 cm• Habitats: Wetland, Urban, DryForest, WetForest, Woodland, Mallee, Grassland• Diet: Nectar• Endemicity: Native to Australia• Commercial: No• Conservation Statuses:o CITES: Not listedo FFG Threatened List: Not listedo DSE Advisory List: Not listedo IUCN Red List: Not listed• Plants: Mistletoe vines• Flight Start: August• Flight End: May
• Kingdom: Animalia• Phylum: Arthropoda• Subphylum: Hexapoda• Class: Insecta• Subclass: Pterygota• Superorder: Endopterygota• Order: Lepidoptera• Suborder: Ditrysia• Superfamily: Papilionoidea• Family: Pieridae• Subfamily: Pierinae• Genus: Delias• Species: Delias aglaia• Scientific Author: (Donovan, 1805)• Common Names: Red-spotted Jezebel Butterfly, Wood White, Wood White Butterfly, Spotted Jezebel
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]
The caterpillars can reach a body length of about . 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]