General Description

Above: pale grey with black markings (male) or dark grey tinged with yellowish green (female). Below: red spots on the hindwing and yellow markings on the forewing. Hindwings without tails. Antennae clubbed. Wingspan up to 8 cm. Cocoons formed in early autumn are an orange colour but in late autumn or early winter they are black to absorb more solar heat.

Biology

Imperial Jezebel butterflies breed on mistletoe vines that often grow near the top of tall trees. Their caterpillars remain together in a web on the mistletoe. The butterflies are one of the first to emerge in spring and fly throughout the year.

Distribution

South-eastern mainland Australia.

Habitat

Forest and urban areas where mistletoe vines grow.

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