Melanis pixe
Red-bordered pixie | |
---|---|
Melanis pixe, El Salvador | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | M. pixe
|
Binomial name | |
Melanis pixe (Boisduval, 1836)
| |
Synonyms | |
|
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 40 millimetres (1.6 in). 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 , Inga species and Pithecellobium species (including Pithecellobium dulce).
Subspecies[]
pixe Mexico sanguinea (Stichel, 1910) Costa Rica - Panama
References[]
- ^ "Red-bordered Pixie". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Metalmark Web and Data.
Categories:
- Riodininae
- Butterflies described in 1836
- Riodinidae stubs