Appias lyncida

The chocolate albatross is found in India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Indochina, Taiwan, Hainan and possibly South China. In India, the butterfly ranges across south India, Nicobar Islands, Sikkim to Assam, and onto Myanmar. In South India, the chocolate albatross is to be found along the foot of the Western Ghats. It is found throughout the year in the Nilgiris where it is locally common. In the northern parts of peninsular India it extends into Orissa and north up to Lucknow. ==Status==

In India, the northern race of the butterfly is common, while it is local and scarce in other parts of its range. ==Description==

The chocolate albatross has a wingspan of 55 to 70 mm. The male is white above with chocolate-brown or black margins, and, bright lemon yellow below with chocolate-coloured markings. The female is white and densely clouded with dark brown. The butterfly shows seasonal dimorphism and is very variable. The detailed descriptions are as follows: ==Habits==

The chocolate albatross is a forest butterfly and prefers rainy highlands, up to a level of . Flying strongly and swiftly close to the ground, the albatross is frequently found in jungle clearings and along stream banks. The males are often found circling around trees and bushes. The chocolate albatross often mudpuddles, sometimes in large numbers. The butterfly occasionally visits flowers and has been recorded to visit Verbena flowers in Kodagu. ==Life cycle==

The larvae have been recorded on Crataeva religiosa, Capparis roxburghii and Capparis heyneana. File:Chocolate albatross eggs egg larvae 2009 05 10 9 65 (3571843964).jpg|Eggs on Crateva religiosa File:Chocolate albatross larvae 2009 05 16 9 49 (3571037663).jpg|Larva File:Chocolate albatross pupa 2009 05 18 9 28 (3571037909).jpg|Chrysalis File:Chocolate albatross-Appias lyncida from Vaniyambalam by Subhash Pulikkal 01.jpg|Imago (dorsal view) File:CHOCOLATE ALBATROSS 2009 05 24 9 52 (3571846860).jpg|Imago (lateral view; male on right, female on left) ==See also==