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      Item Details  

Scientific Name : Delias harpalyce
Common Name : Imperial white
Description : Upper wings white in male, greyish in female, with a broad black border. Underwing predominantly black, with red and white markings on hind wings and yellow and white markings on fore wings. Caterpillars feed colonially on mistletoe, mainly Amyema pendulum.
Habitat : Mainly in eucalypt forest, wherever mistletoe plants are found.
Distribution : SE Australia, common in eastern Victoria
Flying Season : August September October November and January February March April
Family : Pieridae
 
Available Images

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Male imperial white butterfly, with closed wings
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Imperial white caterpillars feeding on Drooping Mistletoe - (Amyema pendulum)
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Imperial white butterflies emerging from chrysalises in communal web
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Imperial white chrysalises
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Eggs of Imperial White on Drooping Mistletoe - (Amyema pendulum)
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1st instar caterpillars (recently hatched) of Imperial White, feeding on a leaf of Drooping Mistletoe - (Amyema pendulum)
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Female Imperial White Butterfly
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Female Imperial White in the act of laying eggs on a Drooping Mistletoe leaf
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Freshly laid Imperial White eggs on a Drooping Mistletoe leaf
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Freshly laid Imperial White eggs on a Drooping Mistletoe leaf
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Early instar caterpillars of Imperial White, feeding on a leaf of Drooping Mistletoe by the Billys Creek Track