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This is one of our most common species of butterflies seen from the highest hills to the seashore. This Pieridae butterfly is common in the gardens of city of Colombo as well as in deep forests. It is common in most South and Southeast Asian countries.

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 this butterfly during my most of my field trips in the country. In the north they are seen in the Jaffna peninsula as well as in the island of Mannar. The Jazebel is a regular visitor to our garden in at Colombo 8 and is found is found throughout the country. At dusk they will hang at the edge of small twigs of tree and bushes to spend the night. The main reason for its abundance and widespread distribution is the availability of Loranthaceae plants which are never subjected to any kind of pesticides or weedicides considering that they are found high up on large trees such as Mango, Margosa and Jack. These parasitic epiphytes are generally referred to in Sinhala as “Pilila” and include the Red Honey Suckle Mistletoe Dendrophthoe falcata, Wilpattu Mistletoe Dendrophthoe ligulatus, Scurrula parasitica “Pilila” and Dendrophtho neelgherrensis “Pilila”. The larva of this species accumulates the toxins from the leaves of these parasitic plants and transmit the same to the adults during metamorphosis. Thus, they can conserve their energy by flying quite slow and enjoy a life of relative safety from predators such as Bee Eaters and Drango’s who will not prey on them.

This is a very common species in and around Wilpattu.