Cyrestis nivea has white upperwings with a dark pattern of fine lines. At the apex the forewing is black with white stripes, the inner angle and cost are orange. The hind wings have a short black tail, the inner margins are orange. The female has slightly rounded wings and a paler color.
Larva: Cyrestis nivea larvae are green with a small, pale tubercle, on the 5th and 11th segments there are long, curved, dark brown, purplish-brown pointed horns. The head is dark brown with a pair of curved horns.