White albatross butterfly

Appias albina belongs to Pieridae and is placed in the subgenus Catophaga. The 2010 Australian study treats the northern Australian population as A. albina albina. [1][2][3]

A Naturalis specimen from Mindoro, Philippines, shows pale wings with a narrow dark forewing costal edge and pale yellow at the wing bases. The northern Australian study records three female colour forms: white, yellow and intermediate. [5][3]

In northern Australia, the species inhabits coastal semi-deciduous monsoon vine thickets where Drypetes deplanchei grows along lateritic edges and cliffs. The Naturalis collection also contains a documented Mindoro specimen dated 22 February 1985. [3][5]

The northern Australian study reports a life cycle of approximately four weeks. Adult appearance coincided with the annual flush of host foliage at the start of the summer monsoon; the flight season lasted about two months. [3]

Caterpillars in the northern Australian study fed on the foliage of Drypetes deplanchei. The plant’s fresh monsoonal growth supplies the larval resource during the local breeding period. [3]

The three female forms in the northern Australian study are sex-limited colour variation within the same taxon: white, yellow and intermediate females occur in A. albina albina. [3]

The Appias revision places the original material associated with albina in Ambon. The modern account retains the species in Appias, subgenus Catophaga. [2]

The paired Naturalis photographs provide upper- and underside views of a documented Mindoro specimen. The Australian study complements this material with its description of female colour forms. [5][3]

The illustration emphasizes pale wing fields, narrow dark margins and the subtle yellow near the body.

Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.

Are all females the same colour? Northern Australian A. albina albina includes white, yellow and intermediate female forms. [3]

How long is the local breeding cycle? The Australian study reports development in about four weeks during a monsoonal flight period of approximately two months. [3]

The Appias revision addresses classification and nomenclature. The northern Australian paper documents female colour variation, the larval host and seasonal development; Naturalis supplies a dated Philippine specimen record. [2][3][5]