White Orange Tip

Description
Wingspan 50-55 mm. White above, the apical half of the forewing is orange, surrounded by a black border. In the female, the orange patch is smaller and has a few oval black spots distally. The black margin below the orange spot is often incomplete. The underside is yellow with a series of brown post median oval spots on both wings. They are variable in number and size, particularly in the female. There is not much variation in the males between seasons.

Similar species
None.

Status, distribution and habitat
It occurs from sea level to 500 feet elevation and inhabits the thorny scrub jungle and thickets of the arid, dry and intermediate zones. It is seen all year round but is commonest during the pre-monsoonal period. It may ascend the lower hills on occasion, but only during migrations. 

Habits
A very active butterfly, particularly the males. It flies hurriedly as it darts across from one thicket to another, seldom above a couple of feet off ground. It flies incessantly, meandering in and out of thorny scrub in search of mates or nectar. When it settles to nectar, it does so only for a fleeting moment and is soon on the wing once again. It loves the sun and may be seen flying until around 2 pm. After that it retires into the thickets to sit on the upper side of a leaf or a twig to spend the night. At rest, it holds its wings up and the forewings are pulled back between the hind wings until much of it is covered. It joins migratory flights.

Early stages
The larvae feed on members of the Capparidaceae.

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