About Delias aganippe (Donovan, 1805)
Delias aganippe, commonly called the Red Spotted Jezebel, is a striking butterfly with vibrant contrasting coloration. The upperside of the forewings is predominantly black with a white band that appears grey in males and cream in females; other sources describe the entire upper wing surface as silver-grey with black margins and a row of white spots, with females having an additional round black spot in the center of the forewings. The underside of the hindwings displays large yellow patches and subterminal bands of bright red spots. This butterfly has tailless hindwings and clubbed antennae. Its wingspan ranges from 60 to 70 mm (2.4–2.8 in), reaching a maximum of 7 cm. This species is endemic to Australia, found mainly in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and southern Western Australia. It is generally common and widespread across its range, though it is less abundant in coastal areas of Queensland and northeastern New South Wales. The Red Spotted Jezebel lives in a wide range of habitats that support mistletoe plants, including wet heathlands, mallee, woodlands, dry forests, wet forests, grasslands, and even urban areas. Known larval food plants for this species are Amyema linophylla, Amyema miquelii, Amyema preissii, Amyema quandang, Exocarpos strictus, Santalum acuminatum, Santalum lancelolatum, and Santalum spicatum.
