Tree nymph butterfly

Idea leuconoe belongs to Nymphalidae, subfamily Danainae. Common names include tree nymph, paper kite and rice-paper butterfly. The Singapore form is chersonesia. [1][2]

Broad pale wings are patterned with dark veins, large black markings and smaller spots. Near the margins, pale spaces remain enclosed by dark lines and markings. [1][2]

In Singapore, chersonesia inhabits coastal mangrove and back-mangrove vegetation, including Pulau Tekong. [2]

In a 1997 experiment, females laid eggs in response to an extract of Parsonsia laevigata. Three macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids—parsonsianine, parsonsianidine and 17-methylparsonsianidine—acted as egg-laying stimulants; several other tested alkaloids were inactive. [3]

Parsonsia laevigata, an apocynaceous vine, is a larval food plant in the Japanese chemical-ecology studies. [3][4]

The Singapore account describes adults gliding at treetop level. [2]

Chemical analysis of adult bodies isolated the pyrrolizidine alkaloids ideamines A and B, together with lycopsamine and parsonsine, in their N-oxide forms. The researchers identified these compounds as sequestered alkaloids. [4]

Idea leuconoe is the species name; chersonesia denotes the regional subspecies recorded in Singapore. [1][2]

Singapore’s third-edition Red Data Book checklist classifies the native subspecies chersonesia as Critically Endangered nationally. [5]

Dark veins divide the pale wing fields, while larger black marks and marginal spots complete the pattern on each surface. [1][2]

Pale flat colour regions and bold dark venation preserve the tree nymph’s distinctive wing pattern. The outer contour remains clear around each broad wing. [1][2]

A closed display protects fragile wing margins and veins from dust and handling. Keep it away from direct sunlight, moisture and abrupt temperature changes.

Which plant is associated with egg laying? In the chemical experiments, Parsonsia laevigata extracts and three of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids stimulated females to lay eggs. [3]

Where do adults fly in Singapore? The regional account describes gliding at treetop height in coastal mangrove and back-mangrove habitats. [2]

Museum and Singapore accounts describe the adult and regional habitat. Honda and colleagues’ 1997 experiments examine egg-laying stimulants; Nishida and colleagues’ 1991 analysis identifies alkaloids in adult bodies. [1][2][3][4][5]