Spotted sawtooth butterfly

Prioneris thestylis, the Spotted Sawtooth, belongs to Pieridae. Doubleday originally described it as Pieris thestylis. [1][2]

The dorsal adult has a white ground, dark veins and a dark forewing apex enclosing elongated pale marks. The Taiwan monograph describes yellow areas and more extensive dark pattern below, with stronger dark markings in females. [1][2][3]

The Taiwan monograph records thestylis mainly at low and middle elevations and describes it as uncommon in northern Taiwan. Similar-looking Delias occur at higher elevations in the Taiwanese comparison. [3]

The Taiwan monograph records multiple generations per year. [3]

Capparis sabiaefolia is the larval host recorded in the Taiwan monograph. The Taiwanese taxon is treated as Prioneris thestylis formosana. [3][4]

The Taiwan monograph describes thestylis as a faster, more powerful flyer than the Delias used in its comparison. [3]

The Taiwan forestry account records a toothed leading edge on the male forewing. The female lacks this serration. This physical difference in the wing margin accompanies the contrasting extent of dark wing markings. [3]

Pieris thestylis is the original combination. Prioneris thestylis formosana is the subspecific name used for Taiwanese material. [2][3][4]

The upper surface shows pale wings with dark venation and a marked forewing apex. Yellow is more prominent beneath, where the dark pattern is also stronger. [3]

The dorsal illustration emphasizes dark venation across a pale field. The ventral view gives greater prominence to the yellow and dark pattern while retaining the same wing structure.

Keep framed specimens away from direct daylight, dampness and pests. Examine fine wing-edge structures through photographs or the enclosure without touching the specimen.