About the Small Grass-Yellow
Eurema smilax, the small grass yellow, is a small pierid butterfly species found in Australia, with some additional records from India, Indonesia and Niger. The wingspan is about 30 mm. The larvae mostly feed on plants of the Senna and Neptunia genera.
The species was first described by Edward Donovan in 1805. Eurema smilax adults have a wingspan of 30–34 mm, with females being slightly larger than males. They are yellow, with black tips on the upper surface of the forewings. This colouration can vary depending on flight period. In southern Australia, the summer flying forms are usually pale yellow, with few or no brown markings on the wing undersides. The winter forms are a brighter yellow, with pronounced brown markings on the wing undersides. The males are generally a brighter yellow than the females.
The eggs are initially white, later turning yellowish. They are spindle-shaped, with a height of about 1.2 mm, and laid singly on a host plant. They hatch in about 7–11 days during spring. The caterpillar is initially pale yellow, soon becoming greenish. Third and fourth instars develop a darker dorsal line and a yellow lateral line. Mature larvae are... Wikipedia →