For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Rice Paper butterfly

This was taken at the butterfly house nearby.
The Rice Paper butterfly, also called the Paper Kite butterfly, wood nymph, or tree nymph (Idea leuconoe) is a distinctive black and white butterfly.
The wingspan is 95 to 110 cm across. The chrysalis is yellow with black markings. It is from Southeast Asia. Classification: superfamily Papilionigiae, family Nymphalidae, subfamily Danainae, Genus Idea, Species I. Leuconoe.

The one below had just emerged from its pupae and was still unfolding its wings.

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