Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Pieridae Scientific name Delias mysis | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Delias Rank Species | |
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Similar Delias argenthona, Delias harpalyce, Delias ennia, Delias aruna, Delias aganippe | ||
Delias mysis, the Union Jack or red-banded Jezebel, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is endemic to northern Australia, New Guinea and neighbouring islands. The common name is a reference to the flag of the British Empire. The butterfly was given this name, because the patterns and colours on the underside of the wings of the males resembles the flag.
The species has a wide variety in colours and patterns, hence a great deal of subspecies have been named.
The wingspan is 60–70 mm.
The larvae feed on mistletoe species, especially Dendrophthoe glabrescens.
References
Delias mysis Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA