Discover Nature at JCU Animals Butterflies and Moths by scientific name Eurema hecabe

Eurema hecabe

Eurema hecabe

(Large Grass-yellow, Common Grass-yellow)

FAMILY

Pieridae

Species

Eurema hecabe

Common name(s)

Large Grass-yellow, Common Grass-yellow

Main colour(s)

Yellow

Distinctive feature

Wingspan 37/40 mm

Campus

Cairns, Townsville

Description

The larvae of this species feed on a variety of shrubs particularly in the Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae, e.g. the genera Breynia, Phyllanthus, Aeschynomene, Indigofera, Sesbania and Acacia. Mature larvae 24-40 mm long, body dull green with a white line edged with yellow; head green. Adult fore wing is yellow with black on the margin, hind wing has a narrower black band, bands in the female are larger; lower surface paler lacks marginal dark band.