Forewing: outwardly towards the terminal margin and the whole of the hindwing except the dorsal area have in certain lights a rich dark purple bloom, in others a very dark green; dorsal area and the whole inner side of the sexual fold opaque brownish black; outer half of forewing with pale adnervular streaks more or less prominent.

Underside similar; forewing with the adnervular pale streaks broader, more prominent, extended further inwards well up to the terminal margin.

Underside similar, the streaks on the forewing broader and paler; hindwing as on the upperside, more uniform, duller, opaque.

In Sikkim, according to Henry John Elwes and Lionel de Nicéville, it occurs from quite low elevations in the Terai up to 7,000 feet (2,100 m).

Its almost uniform dark colour renders it inconspicuous in the jungle, and it is therefore difficult to account for its being further protected by a disagreeable smell and probably taste.