Butterflies of Sri Lanka

Lesser Albatross
Appias paulina paulina, Felder

Seasonal Variations

Typical wet season male.

Upper side forewing: the upper surface is pale white with a dusting of black scales on the forewing apex, often extending along the termen and costa. The termen below the apex is somewhat concave, more so than in the Common Albatross.
Upper side hind wing: On the hind wing, the posterior part of the outer margin is also dusted with black scales.
Under side fore wing: The ground color is uniform pale creamy yellow, except the lower half of the wing.
Under side hind wing: Uniformly chrome yellow.

Typical dry season male.

Upper side forewing: Similar to wet season, except that it has fewer black scales; in some specimens, they are absent.
Upper side hind wing: Fewer black scales; in some specimens, they are absent.
Under side fore/hind wing: The ground color is pale ochreous, never white.

Typical wet season female. (Yellow form)

Upper side forewing : The ground colour is white with a pronounced dusting of black scales, particularly towards the base of the wings. The apex, costal and outer margins of the forewing are broadly black. The forewing has 2 or 3 subapical spots.
Upper side hind wing : The band on the termen is broadly black and sharply dentate.
Under side forewing : The lower half of the forewing is pale yellow and the apex chrome yellow, separated by a black band.
Under side hind wing : Chrome yellow. Some individuals display a diffuse post median band of black scales, and these belong to the form fasciata.

Typical dry season female. (White form)

Upper side forewing : Similar to the wet season form, except that the black areas on both wings are narrower. Little or no dusting of black scales.
Upper side hind wing : The black band on the hind wing is not sharply dentate.
Under side hind forewing : The lower half of the forewing is pale yellow and the apex is white with a pearly sheen, separated by a black band.
Under side hind wing : White with a pearly sheen. The outline of the black markings of the upper surface is often seen on the underside of both wings.