was formerly called Gegenes gambica .
a small butterfly common in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In Israel it is common in the Mediterranean region and in the Jordan Valley. It flies most of the year, except for the cold winter (from March to December). Its wingspan is about 30 mm. It is black in color. It produces several consecutive generations each year.
The female lays her eggs on many species of cereals. The egg is greenish, hemispherical in shape, and flat at its base. It acquires orange spots as hatching approaches.
A cream-colored larva with a black head hatches from the egg. As it grows, its color turns green and it develops light longitudinal stripes. It hides inside a folded leaf that it creates. When it reaches a size of about 30 mm, it pupates above ground among leaves.
The pupa is of the girdle pupa type. It is green with light stripes, its head is slightly pointed, its length is about 20 mm. Its duration is about three weeks.