The adults are known to feed on spoiled fruits as well as a wide variety of nectar plants.
The genus Neptis is Latin for granddaughter. Hylas, in Greek mythology, was the son of King Theiodamas.
The Common Sailor can be seen in many habitats but they seem to prefer forested areas and are usually noticed flying along the forest edge.
Mated females go from host plant to host plant laying one egg per plant. As the larva feeds on the host plant it takes small pieces of the plant and attaches them to silk forming a protective tent.
There are multiple broods each year, this makes it possible to find the Common Sailor all year round in the warm parts of their range.
The Common Sailor has a very interesting flight pattern. They have a very low body weight to wing ratio. This allows the Common Sailor to take a couple wing-beats, and then glide (or sail) a good distance, until it needs to take a couple more wing beats.
