Description
Wingspan of 30-40 mm. A small black and salmon colored butterfly. The broad black bands on the upper side are studded with a variable number of light colored spots. The under side of both sexes is dusted with gray scales, usually more extensive in the female. In some specimens, the under side of the forewing has a diffused light pink area just above the lower margin. This area is usually covered by the hind wing, and may be seen only if examined in hand. 

The male is always salmon colored above and yellow below, with a light dusting of gray scales.

The female has two color forms. The commoner form resembles the male but is of a lighter shade of salmon-pink and has a well marked underside. In the form Albina, the salmon colored areas are replaced by pale yellow to creamy white, and the underside is less heavily marked. In the field, there is a perfect gradation of colors from salmon to creamy white. The underside of both wings has extensive gray scales.
The dry season form is smaller and lighter in color than the wet season form. 

Similar species
None.

Status, distribution and habitat
It is commonest in the the two arid zones along the south east and north west coast of the island where it frequents coastal dunes and semi-desert waste places. It is encountered year round but its populations peak just before the monsoons. It is less common in other parts of the dry zone. 

Habits
It is a very active butterfly and may be seen on the wing during the hottest part of the day when all else is still. It flies low to the ground and flies fast with a continuous flapping of its wings, frequently settling on wayside flowers. Once settled, it holds its wings up at an angle and often drops them to cover much of the hind wind.

Early stages
The larvae feed on Salvadora persica, Salvadora oleoides and Azima tetracantha.

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