Idea leuconoe, also known as the paper kite butterfly, rice paper butterfly, large tree nymph,[1] or in Australia the white nymph butterfly,[2] 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.
Larvae feed on Parsonsia species, Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, Parsonsia spiralis, and Cynanchum formosanum[3] so both the butterfly and larvae are poisonous.
The paper kite butterfly's forewings and hindwings are translucent silvery white with black spots, similar to the Idea lynceus.
Listed alphabetically:[3]
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A backlighted side ventral view of the silver wings illustrates why the descriptor “rice paper” is used.
Larva (caterpillar)
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Pupa
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Feeding
Idea leuconoe, also known as the paper kite butterfly, rice paper butterfly, large tree nymph, or in Australia the white nymph butterfly, 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.
Larvae feed on Parsonsia species, Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, Parsonsia spiralis, and Cynanchum formosanum so both the butterfly and larvae are poisonous.
