Mainly orange-yellow, with black markings, cruiser butterflies stand out in the rainforest, and feed. on native passion vines (Passifloraceae)

Male Cruiser butterfly - Vindula arsinoe - Photo by Alex Pawlow

They are a large butterfly and can have a wingspan of 8cm. The female has darker markings on the margins of the wings, with the male being mostly yellow-orange with black spots. The caterpillar is black with white spots.

As opposed to most butterflies, they have a preference for laying their eggs on dead leaves and twigs, which may serve the purpose of having them eaten less.

The subspecies Vindula arinoe ada in found in tropical, north eastern Queensland