Neptis

Neptis is a large genus of butterflies of Old World tropics subtropics. They are commonly called sailer butterflies or sailers, or more precisely typical sailers to distinguish them from the related blue sailer (Pseudoneptis).

Description

The head is rather broad and moderately hairy on the forehead.The eyes are large and prominent. The palpi are short, acute, slender, hairy, and do not rise above the level of the forehead. The antennae are moderately long,terminating in an elongate, gradually-formed club, flattened on its upper surface.The thorax is not robust and it is as broad as the head and slightly hairy posteriorly.The wing characters are: fore-wings elongate, rather truncate; costa only slightly arched; apex not acute, but well marked ; hind-margin slightly convex and sinuated ; anal angle distinct ; inner-margin convex near base, slightly concave about middle. Hind-wings large, rounded ; costa strongly arched ; hind-margin moderately dentate ; innermargins only slightly convex, not covering posterior portion of the abdomen. Upperside patterning consists of white spots and bars (some species have orange or yellow bars) on a black ground colour.Underside patterns are yellowish to reddish-brown, alternating with white bands The legs are rather short and stout. The abdomen is slender, much compressed and rather elongate.