The Lovely Paper Kite Butterfly

The paper kite butterfly only has two rather common colors, black and white, but is still an eye-catching beauty. The way the light shines through the wings is just amazing, and if there are other colors around it looks a bit like stained glass. These beauties come from Malaysia and the Philippines and Southeast Asia in general. Their official name is Idea leuconoe. They are also known as the white tree nymph, or rice paper. Some lepidopterists call this butterfly the large tree nymph to distinguish it from a similarly colored, smaller butterfly, the Ideopsis juventa or small wood nymph. Both of these butterflies are part of the brush-footed butterflies, or family Nymphalidae.

Your best bet to see one of these, outside of their natural habitat, is in a butterfly house or conservatory. Keep an eye out for butterfly exhibits that may come to your local area. I have always thought of butterflies as "flying flowers" for obvious reasons. I took the picture of the paper kite above and just loved the tropical pink flower behind it, and felt lucky that he stopped flying long enough for me to get this picture.

More details about the Paper Kite

The wingspan of the paper kite is generally about 6 inches across or 15cm. They eat flower nectar like many other butterflies do. When you see them flying, their wings have a slower rhythmic fluttering than some other butterflies do, which makes them all the more beautiful and magical as they are flying about.

They live just below the forest canopy and enjoy the coastal regions. Of the "milkweed butterflies," this one is the largest. The subfamily is called Danainae. When you hear about the slower flying pattern, you may think this would be helpful to hungry predators. Their predators learn that they don't taste very good, so it is a helpful survival trait.

The pupae of the paper kite is a bright gold color, which is very different from the final colors when it emerges as the beautiful butterfly that we enjoy.

Philippines & Malaysia, home to Paper Kite Butterflies

Paper kite Butterfly Poll

© 2010 Paula

Comments

TacoCat on May 30, 2019:

Hopefully u make more stories about butterfly's! My teacher loves butterfly's and i think he'll love for u to post more articles .

oceansnsunsets profile imageAUTHOR

Paula

8 years ago from The Midwest, USA

Denise, thank you so much. I love the intricacies and beauty of them, though I guess that is stating the obvious! I think they are a work of art, and thank you for your comment.

Denise Handlon profile image

Denise Handlon

8 years ago from North Carolina

Butterflies have always held a special meaning for me. I consider it one of my animal totems. Beautiful and such delicacy, this butterfly which I was unfamiliar with. Delightful.

oceansnsunsets profile imageAUTHOR

Paula

8 years ago from The Midwest, USA

Thank you, and I will, as butterflies are one of my favorite things!

PhoenixV profile image

PhoenixV

8 years ago from USA

Love these butterfly hubs just revisiting some keep up the great work!

oceansnsunsets profile imageAUTHOR

Paula

8 years ago from The Midwest, USA

BkCreative, thank you very much!

BkCreative profile image

BkCreative

8 years ago from Brooklyn, New York City

Wow what a beauty! Shows that black and white - with the right background and well of course being a magnificent butterfly - can be as gorgeous as a butterfly filled with color. This paper kite butterfly is breathtaking - whew!

Rated up and thanks a million!

oceansnsunsets profile imageAUTHOR

Paula

8 years ago from The Midwest, USA

Thank you Scribenet. I will try to bring more in the future, I just love butterflies!

oceansnsunsets profile imageAUTHOR

Paula

8 years ago from The Midwest, USA

Thank you Phoenix!

Scribenet profile image

Maggie Griess

8 years ago from Ontario, Canada

Butterflies are beautiful! I had never heard of this one...keep on informing us! Great Hub and Photos!

PhoenixV profile image

PhoenixV

8 years ago from USA

Great Hub great photos once again!

TacoCat on May 28, 2019:

Hopefully u make more stories about butterfly's! My teacher loves butterfly's and i think he'll love for u to post more articles .

Paula (author) from The Midwest, USA on November 05, 2010:

Denise, thank you so much. I love the intricacies and beauty of them, though I guess that is stating the obvious! I think they are a work of art, and thank you for your comment.

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on November 05, 2010:

Butterflies have always held a special meaning for me. I consider it one of my animal totems. Beautiful and such delicacy, this butterfly which I was unfamiliar with. Delightful.

Paula (author) from The Midwest, USA on November 04, 2010:

Thank you, and I will, as butterflies are one of my favorite things!

PhoenixV from USA on November 03, 2010:

Love these butterfly hubs just revisiting some keep up the great work!

Paula (author) from The Midwest, USA on October 31, 2010:

BkCreative, thank you very much!

BkCreative from Brooklyn, New York City on October 31, 2010:

Wow what a beauty! Shows that black and white - with the right background and well of course being a magnificent butterfly - can be as gorgeous as a butterfly filled with color. This paper kite butterfly is breathtaking - whew!

Rated up and thanks a million!

Paula (author) from The Midwest, USA on October 30, 2010:

Thank you Scribenet. I will try to bring more in the future, I just love butterflies!

Paula (author) from The Midwest, USA on October 30, 2010:

Thank you Phoenix!

Maggie Griess from Ontario, Canada on October 30, 2010:

Butterflies are beautiful! I had never heard of this one...keep on informing us! Great Hub and Photos!

PhoenixV from USA on October 30, 2010:

Great Hub great photos once again!