Paper Kite-Tree Nymph

Bohol, Philippines (Oct 2012).

comments (11)

WildFlower

Lion

How do you always get the tricky ones?
Idea malabarica is a rare species only found in India so it is very unlikely to find it in the Philippines. Besides, the caterpillar on this link has fewer tentacles.
The Idea leuconoe caterpillars seem to be variable and I couldn't find one with yellow stripes - they are all white with different numbers of red spots. There is one other species - Idea electra which is found in the Philippines but there are no photos of it's caterpillar.
http://ftp.funet.fi/index/Tree_of_life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/danainae/idea/
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10783/0
http://lntreasures.com/indial.html
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/12387086
http://blog.hmns.org/tag/larvae/
http://www.oxfly.co.uk/pages/sustainability_p.html
http://www.mariposariodebenalmadena.com/en/orugas-imagenes/ Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  :-) You can also discount it from the contest, no problem for me. If you can verify the species, I will appreciate it. Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    The first suggestion - Idea leuconoe by this person who claims to have reared such butterflies seems more likely. This species is found on the island and in the sanctuary. I don't know if they have other species. I've listed the best references I could find but I don't have any expertise other than that.
    http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16939466 Posted 9 years ago

Albert Kang

Lion

Was this seen at Bohol Butterfly Garden? Posted 9 years ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, the butterfly and catterpillar, yes,yes..remove them from the contest...whatever :-) Posted 9 years ago

Albert Kang

Lion

Not mentioning it because of the contest.
WildFlower commented that Idea malabarica is a rare species only found in India so it is very unlikely to find it in the Philippines, that's why I asked if its at the Butterfly Garden :p Posted 9 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  If the caterpillar was in this sanctuary, they claim to have only local species.
  http://www.bohol-philippines.com/butterfly-sanctuaries.html Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Albert Kang
    
    Lion
    
    Not familiar with their policy, haven't visited the place.
    But if the Caterpillar is of foreign species and Patomarazul takes the picture of it there, then it means they do keep foreign species. Maybe the ID is mistaken? Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Patomarazul
      
      Lion
      
      In fact I am not sure of the exact species name. As I say above to wildflower, if you find it and is incorrect pleae feel free to change it. I just found it to be a cute caterpillar worth sharing here :-) Posted 9 years ago
    2. WildFlower
      
      Lion
      
      It has been suggested that this is Idea leuconoe which seems more likely, see comment above. Posted 9 years ago
    3. 1. Albert Kang
        
        Lion
        
        I think there are 3 species under the genus Idea from Philippines.
        Another possibility is Idea electra, which is supposedly rare and protected species.
        Couldn't find any pictures of the Caterpillar for reference.
        Idea electra is known from Mindanao. Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago

The Paper Kite

The Paper Kite, Rice Paper, or Large Tree Nymph butterfly is known especially for its presence in butterfly greenhouses and live butterfly expositions. The Paper Kite is of Southeast Asian origin.

Info 24 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Patomarazul