Description
A large butterfly with a wingspan of 70-85 mm. The sexes are similar and are indistinguishable in flight. Once settled, the male can be distinguished from the female by the elevated scent patches. They are located on the second vein of the underside hind wing.

The upper side of the wings are black with pale blue markings. The markings on the basal part of the wings are narrowly streaky, while those towards the outer margins are elongate. The size and shape of blue markings vary between specimens.

The under side background colour is dark brown with the rest of the markings similar to those on the upper surface. 

Similar species
Blue Tiger, Glassy Tiger, Blue Glassy Tiger, Female Dark Wanderer and Common Mime. More information.

Status, distribution and habitat
A common butterfly all over the island, specially at the lower elevations. Frequently found in the company of the Blue Tiger, though the less commoner of the two. It is commonest in disturbed areas with secondary vegetation and forest borders.

Habits
It is considered an unpalatable species, usually avoided by predators. However, Ormiston records an instance of a White Bellied Drongo feasting on a migrating swarm of this species. Larvae feeding on host plants with different chemical compositions and toxicity may account for such observations.  More information about Danaids

Early stages
There is no definitive record of the larval host plant in Sri Lanka.

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Danaidae | Satyridae | Amathusiidae | Nymphalidae | Acraeidea | Libytheidae | Riodinidae | Lycaenidae | Pieridae | Papilionidae | Hesperidae