Melanis pixe explained

Melanis pixe, the red-bordered pixie, is a species in the butterfly family Riodinidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836.

Description

Melanis pixe has a wingspan of about . The upperside of the wings is black. The tip of forewing is yellow orange and the base has a red spot. The hindwing outer margin has a band of red spots. Eggs are laid in groups of 10 to 30 on the host tree leaves, stems, or bark and the caterpillars feed on the leaves.[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas south to Costa Rica.

Biology

The larvae feed on Albizia caribea, Inga species and Pithecellobium species (including Pithecellobium dulce).

Subspecies

pixe Mexicosanguinea (Stichel, 1910) Costa Rica - Panama

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Red-bordered Pixie. Butterflies and Moths of North America. Metalmark Web and Data.