Butterfly Article

Cethosa biblis

 
Scientific Name: Cethosa biblis
Common Name: The Red Lacewing
Native Location: Southeast Asia
Host Plant: Passiflora cochinchinensis
Description: This is a gorgeous butterfly that we receive from two of our farms, Tropical Entomological House(Malaysia) and Flora Farms(Philippines). This butterfly is found throughout Southeast Asia but is most prevalent in Malaysia and the Philippine islands. The butterfly loves to feed on the juices of fruits and the nectar of flowers making it one of the great showpieces of the Conservatory. The Lacewing has wonderfully complex patterning on the underside of the wings giving it its common name. Some people think that the patterning on the underside of the wings resembles a choir of singers.  (Check out the photo below.) They are a particularly friendly butterfly and often land on people!

<i>Cethosa biblis</i>  <i>Cethosa biblis</i>, underside