The under surface of the hindwing is almost exclusively black except for white and yellow patches between the veins.

The female can vary dramatically including a pale form which looks strikingly similar to the male.

[3] The first instar of this species is pale yellow sparsely covered in long hairs.

The later instars of this species are dark brownish-green with white and yellow raised spots.

Unlike other caterpillars of its size the B. java feeds on a fairly minimal amount of food, making it less of an agricultural pest than the others.