Paper kite
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Idea
Species:
I. leuconoe
Binomial name
Idea leuconoe
Erichson, 1834

Idea leuconoe, also known as the paper kite butterfly, rice paper butterfly, large tree nymph,[1] is a butterfly known especially for its presence in butterfly houses and live butterfly expositions. It has a wingspan of 12 to 14 cm. The paper kite is of Southeast Asian origin, but can also be found in Southern Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands.

Larvae feed on Parsonsia species, Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, Parsonsia spiralis, and Cynanchum formosanum[2] so both the butterfly and larvae are poisonous.

Description

The paper kite butterfly's forewings and hindwings are translucent silvery white with black spots, similar to the Idea lynceus.

Subspecies

Listed alphabetically:[2]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Cutler, David (2002). Butterflies and Moths (Second American ed.). London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-8983-X.
  2. ^ a b "Idea Fabricius, 1807" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Idea leuconoe.
Wikispecies has information related to Idea leuconoe.


Taxon identifiers
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