The forewing has two transverse short black lines at the base, a black loop across the middle, and another beyond the apex of the cell, with their centres dark brown, followed by an angulated discal dark brown band bordered outwardly by a series of five white spots; two preapical white spots beyond and a broad, somewhat diffuse, subterminal black band broadening over the apex and angulated inwards in interspace 1.

[2][5] The caterpillar of E. aconthea is green in colour, with a blue/yellow line on its back, designed to camouflage it against leaves.

It features branching spines which protrude from its dorsal surface, covering the whole animal except for a line along its back.

Differs prominently on both upper and under sides in the discal row of white spots being more oblique and complete, extending from the costa to near the apex of interspace 2.

In 1905, Charles Thomas Bingham recorded it to be found throughout peninsular India, except in the desert tracts, and the higher ranges of the Himalayas; Assam; Burma; Tenasserim, extending to the peninsula, and Sumatra.