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This is a common butterfly of the Pieridae family and is common in the low country dry zone. Other than Sri Lanka it is also native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Twelve sub species have recognized and the race found in Sri Lanka and Southern India is referred to as C.n.evagete.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

I have seen it through out the dry zone forested areas. They take part in migrations along with other species of Pieridae butterflies. It is common in the North and I have seen them in the Jaffna peninsula and the Mannar Island. The highest altitude at which I have seen them so far has been at the Kobonilla (Corbett’s Gap) in the Knuckles forest reserve at 1060 meters. They are quite common at all the dry zone national parks.

The females of this species lay their eggs primarily on plants belonging to the Capparaceae family. The Indian Caper Capparis brevispina (Sudu Wellangiriya) and Lunu Warana Crataeva adansonii both of which are quite common in Wilpattu are two of the commonly used host plants by this species.

In Wilpattu this species can be seen among the large number of Lesser Albatross butterflies (white butterflies that which settle on damp and moist ground).