The female has several colour forms,[1] but is usually pale yellowish white on the uppersurface with heavier black markings than the male,[1] and has a dark spot on each forewing.

[3] The underside of females is similar to the male but the rows of black dots are more pronounced and the base colour is pale to bright yellow.

[1] A distinguishing feature of D. pigea is that the hindwing costal has a yellow streak, unlike other Dixeia species.

The larger spikes resemble to some extent the double, hooked thorns on the stems of the food plant, Capparis tomentosa (see image).

The wing areas show whitish or yellowish with dark spots near to hatching and the body becomes greyish.