Idea leuconoe

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.

  1. ^ Cutler, David (2002). Butterflies and Moths (Second American ed.). London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-8983-X.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference funet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).