Rice Paper Butterfly
ExploreInsects
Rice Paper Butterfly
Idea leuconoe
The Rice Paper Butterfly is a beautiful insect with delicate, white wings and black markings. They love to flutter around flowers and are often seen in warm, sunny places.
Habitat: Tropical forests
Appearance
The Rice Paper Butterfly has large, translucent, creamy white wings adorned with bold black markings that resemble ink blots or a stained-glass window. Its long, slender dark body offers a stark contrast to its delicate, almost see-through wings, making it visually distinct from most other butterflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusIdea
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite their delicate look, Rice Paper Butterflies are actually quite tough and hardy!
Many butterfly houses around the world keep these beauties for visitors to admire up close!
Their caterpillars munch on poisonous plants, but it makes *them* poisonous, too!
These butterflies are slow fliers, making them look like floating pieces of paper!
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Warning
Rice Paper Butterfly can be poisonous to predators because they absorb toxins from their host plants, signaling danger with their striking appearance.
Ability
Transparency Camouflage
Rice Paper Butterfly has translucent wings that help them blend with the dappled light of the forest, making them harder for predators to spot.
Ability
Effortless Glider
Rice Paper Butterfly has large, broad wings that help them glide effortlessly through the air, conserving energy as they float between flowers.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 120-140 mm
- Size
- 25-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on specific poisonous leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat toxic leaves from specific host plants, but adults only drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Parsonsia laevigata leaves
- Tylophora hirsuta leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus
Though toxic, some birds may still attempt to prey on them.
depends on
Milkweed vine
Parsonsia laevigata
Caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of this poisonous plant.
depends on
Hairy Tylophora
Tylophora hirsuta
Another host plant whose leaves provide food and toxins for larvae.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Paper Kite
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rice Paper Butterfly's wingspan?
120-140 mm
How big is Rice Paper Butterfly?
25-30 mm
How long does Rice Paper Butterfly live?
7-14 days
What does Rice Paper Butterfly eat?
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on specific poisonous leaves.
Where is Rice Paper Butterfly usually found?
Tropical forests
How does Rice Paper Butterfly hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Rice Paper Butterfly have?
6
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