Common Pierrot

Another small but pretty Lycaenid butterfly photographed on the farm near Thirupporur. This is a widely distributed butterfly in India. It is white butterfly having black spots on the underside. Usually seen with its wings closed, the pied colouration is quite distinctive. The short threadlike tail or hairstreak is not very visible in this specimen. The central portion of the underside of the hind-wing has an area that lacks markings, which distinguishes it from other Pierrots.

Common Pierrot, showing typical hairstreaks

The larva is typically oniscoid (woodlouse form)and feeds on Zizyphus jujuba. The pupa is intensely glossy, as if covered with gum. Colouration is varied; sometimes black and at other times green with black markings (From Davidson, Bell & Aitken’s description).