Mmastodon ScienceBiology first seen 2 d ago, last 2 d ago, peak #1
Paper Kite Butterfly's Toxic Defense Explained
Original: Paper Kite, Rice Paper, or Large Tree Nymph butterfly (Idea leuconoe). Southeast Asia. Caterpillars ingest cardiac glyco
The Paper Kite, also known as the Rice Paper or Large Tree Nymph butterfly (Idea leuconoe), is found across Southeast Asia and is prized for its striking black-and-white wings. Its caterpillars feed on toxic dogbane host plants such as Parsonsia, ingesting cardiac glycosides that make both larvae and adult butterflies poisonous and unpalatable to predators.
Why now: Nature enthusiasts are sharing striking images and facts about this visually distinctive butterfly and its chemical defense mechanism.
Paper Kite butterflyIdea leuconoeSoutheast AsiaParsonsia
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 8 snapshots from 2 d ago to 2 d ago.
Evidence
- Paper Kite, Rice Paper, or Large Tree Nymph butterfly (Idea leuconoe). Southeast Asia. Caterpillars ingest cardiac glycosides from toxic dogbane host plants like Parsonsia, so both larvae and adult butterflies are unpalatable & poisonous to predators. # butterfly # insects #… · tangledwing@ohai.social · 44
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