Common Grass Yellow

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Taxonomy and related species

Eurema hecabe belongs to Pieridae and is known as the Common Grass Yellow. Eurema mandarina, formerly included within a broader hecabe concept, is treated as a separate sister species. [3][7]

Adult morphology

The upper wings are bright yellow with dark borders; brown markings occur below. In Singapore’s contubernalis, females are larger and paler than males, with broader, more diffuse dark markings. The forewing apical mark can be reduced or absent. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Naturalis records hecabe across the Old World tropics, from Africa through southern Asia toward the Pacific, and associates it with sunlit forest edges. Singapore records include forest, mangrove, garden and urban habitats. [4][3]

Host plants and feeding

Larval food plants belong to Fabaceae. Singapore examples include Senna and Caesalpinia. In Mizoram, northeastern India, larvae were recorded on young Cassia fistula foliage in December 2009. [3][5][6]

Research findings

A 2020 study distinguished 67 hecabe and 38 mandarina using the nuclear Tpi gene in samples collected chiefly in Japan, with Taiwanese hecabe also included. The assay produced fragments of approximately 375 base pairs for hecabe and 120 for mandarina. [7]

In the populations studied, mitochondrial DNA could not distinguish the two species. The authors related their shared mitochondrial lineages to historical hybridization. [7]

Taxonomic history

Linnaeus described the species as Papilio hecabe in 1758. The modern combination is Eurema hecabe; mandarina is now treated separately. [8][7]

Conservation

Singapore’s third Red Data Book lists Eurema hecabe contubernalis as Least Concern. [2]

Illustration notes

Scott Schubr’s Luminary Oddities illustrations depict the adult outline, yellow wing fields and dark borders. Edition titles identify the individual compositions.

Specimen care

Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight, dampness and large changes in temperature or humidity. Handle the frame, clean only its exterior, and inspect for loose fragments, moisture and pests. Retain the specimen’s original labels and follow the enclosure maker’s care instructions. [1]

Sources and further reading

Caring for natural history collections ↗
Canadian Conservation Institute · Accessed 2026-10-09
Singapore butterfly species list ↗
NParks Singapore · Accessed 2026-10-09
Common Grass Yellow profile ↗
NParks Singapore · Accessed 2026-10-09
Eurema hecabe distribution and habitat ↗
Naturalis Biodiversity Center · Accessed 2026-10-09
Eurema hecabe biology ↗
Naturalis Biodiversity Center · Accessed 2026-10-04
Early stages and larval host plants of northeastern Indian butterflies ↗
Journal of Threatened Taxa · Accessed 2026-10-04
Multiplex PCR for identification of two butterfly sister species: Eurema mandarina and Eurema hecabe ↗
Miyata, Kageyama and Nomura; BMC Research Notes 13: 260 (2020) · Accessed 2026-10-11
Eurema hecabe taxonomy ↗
GBIF · Accessed 2026-10-04
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Artworks in the collection

Framed and digital artworks featuring this species. Current options and prices are listed on Etsy.

Three Kisses ↗Framed work

Related species

Sources checked 2026-10-11. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.

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