About Delias harpalyce (Donovan, 1805)
Delias harpalyce has a wingspan that reaches approximately 60–70 millimetres, or 2.4–2.8 inches. The upper surfaces of both its forewings and hindwings are whitish with black margins, and a row of small whitish spots sits on the apex of the forewings. Female Delias harpalyce have wider black outer wing edges than males. The undersides of the wings have a chequered whitish and black pattern: there is a yellow band on the apex of the forewings, and a red band across the middle of the hindwings. The larvae grow to about 4 centimetres in length, with black bodies covered in white hairs. These gregarious caterpillars spin a silken web on their host plants, which include species in the Amyema, Muellerina and Dendrophthoe genera. This species is found in Australia, specifically in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It inhabits eucalypt forests. Adults mostly fly at height, but congregate around flowering fruit trees in spring, starting at the beginning of October, when they are easy to catch, as documented by Seitz Mts.
