North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Red-bordered Pixie (Melanis pixe)

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Red-bordered Pixie (Melanis pixe [Boisduval])

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 7/8 inches (3.8 - 4.4 cm).

Identification: Upperside black. Tip of forewing yellow-orange; base of wing with red spot. Hindwing outer margin with band of red spots.

Life history: Eggs are laid in groups of 10-30 on the host tree leaves, stems, or bark; caterpillars feed gregariously on leaves and pupate together in groups.

Flight: January-November in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Guamuchil (Pithecellobium dulce), Albizia, and Inga species; all in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of Pithecellobium, Albizia, Inga, Coffea, Cordia, Lantana, and Citrus.

Habitat: Lowland riparian tropical forest, city parks.

Range: Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas south to Costa Rica.

Conservation: Not required for occasional stray.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:

DeVries, P. J. 1997. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their  natural history. 
    Volume II Riodinidae. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 
    288 pages, 25 color plates.

Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern  butterflies. Peterson 
    field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,  Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford  University Press, 
    Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Red-bordered Pixie (Melanis pixe)

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