Tawny Coster is a commonly occurring butterfly in forest clearings, open country and gardens of South east Asia. Occurs in Himalaya upto 1,500 m amsl. As name suggests, wings are 'tawny' colored with black spots on it.

The butterflies of this subfamily are characterized by a perfectly flat hind wing. Another characteristics is lazy flight, bit of like sailing - fluttering combination. Lot many specimens can be seen around its host plant Passiflora sp. Host plant is a climber, flowers throughout the year. They frequently exhibit Mullerian mimicry and serve as models for Batesian mimics from other families. This butterfly is distasteful to predators and has a slow fluttering flight, not high above the ground. Plays dead when caught and exudes a bad smelling yellowish oily fluid from glands in leg joints. Frequent visitor to flowers. Sexes are similar. Upper brick red with narrow black border along termen of fore wings. On hind wings black border is broader with white spots on cell and disc of both wings.