Indian Jezebel

"Common Jezebel" redirects here. For the other butterfly with this common name, see Delias nigrina.

Common Jezebel
Scientific classification
Missing taxonomy template (fix):	Delias
Species:	Template:Taxonomy/DeliasD. eucharis
Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/DeliasDelias eucharis (Drury, 1773)
Synonyms
Papilio eucharis Drury, 1773

predator lizard

Delias eucharis, the Indian Jezebel,is a medium-sized pierid butterfly found in many areas of south and southeast Asia, especially in the non-arid regions of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. The common Jezebel is one of the most common of the approximately 225 described species in the genus Delias.

Range and habits

The Indian Jezebel are nomadic in behaviour and are found in a variety of environment including, but not limited to, temperate hill forests, tropical rainforests, dry open woodlands, and beach hinterlands. They are generally found all over Modern India, except in the desert tracts, and up to an altitude of 7,000 feet (2,100 m) in the hills. The butterfly may be found wherever there are trees, even in towns and cities, flying high among the trees and visiting flowers.

It is also commonly seen in gardens. The females can be seen flying amongst the trees in search of its food plants, while the males are more frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar. It rests with its wings closed exhibiting the brilliantly coloured underside.

The Jezebel often flies high up in the canopy and usually comes lower down only to feed on nectar in flowers. Due to this habit apparently, it has evolved a dull upper side and a brilliant underside so that birds below it recognise it immediately while in flight and at rest.

---