Danaid Eggfly

The adults are on wing during late summer, between March and April. The wing periods are associated with rainfall patterns, as peak abundances occur shortly after rainfall. They are rarely seen during dry weathers. This correlation is due food plants growth rates and suitable conditions for larval growth.

Male. The male is monomorphic, with the upperwings dark velvety brownish black. Forewing: The forewing has a broad white oval spot between veins 3 and 7. A smaller spot near the apex is also present. These spots are crossed by the black veins and bordered in iridescent blue that is visible only at certain angles. The hindwing has a larger white spot but the veins crossing it are yellowish and not as prominent as on the forewing. There are some white specks along the tornus and the margin is edged with white and black. The underside of forewing is colored rich light chestnut at the bases of interspaces 1 and 2, and the cell. The discal area, however, shows fuscous brown hue. The apical half is golden brown, with the basal half of costal margin is flecked with white. There are three white spots on th cell, which is black anteriorly. Beyond the apex of the cell, there is a narrow, short, transverse white mark. A broad, oval, white discal patch extends from costa to the middle of interspace 2, edged with a diffused dusky black border. …

They are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In the Americas, they are found in the West Indies, with strays in Central and North America. It is widely distributed across the Indian Ocean islands, including Maldives,Seychelles, and has recorded on multiple islands such as Mahé, Praslin, Aldabra and Cousine.

Larva: According to de la Chaumette (as noted by Moore), the larva of H. misippus has a cylindrical shape and is predominantly black, having an even darker black dorsal line that runs along its back. It is banded transversely with small, pale brown transverse tuberculated spots, contrasting against the dark body. The ventral surface has a dark olive-brown hue, while the legs and head are brick-red in color. The head is equipped with two long, thick branched black spines thats serve as defensive adaptations. The rest of the segments, with the exception of the anal segment, possess a total of ten branched spines that are dirty, transparent white in colour and are disposed in longitudinal rows. The anal segment, notable for its function, also has two similar spines. Food plant: The larvae primarily feed on the leaves of Portulaca oleracea (common purslane, also known as little hogweed, or pursley), and Asystasia lawiana. Pupa: The pupa is pendulous in nature, characterized as short and thick, with its overall structure contributing to its camouflage. Its coloration is light brown, lacking any metallic spots, which aids in its concealment among foliage. It is variegated and streaked with bistre, particularly around the head and tail regions, providing further adaptations to the environment. (de la Chaumette.)