Red-bordered Pixie
Melanis pixe
Description 1 5/8-2" (41-51 mm). Elongated FW coal-black above, interrupted by brilliant yellow-orange tip; red spots at wing bases. HW also black above with red spot near abdomen and flashing row of red marginal spots. Similar below with more red spotting at base.
Life Cycle Unreported. Caterpillar feeds on guamuchil tree (Pithecellobium dulce) of legume family.
Flight January and July in Texas.
Habitat Gardens, ornamental plantings, and thorn scrub with host plant in Texas.
Range Panama north to Chiapas along West Coast; also extreme S. Texas south to Yucatan.
Discussion This unmistakable butterfly is a member of the primarily South American genus Melanis, which contains some of the most brilliantly colored butterflies in the New World Tropics. Its bright spots against the dark background may mimic distasteful tropical moths, protecting this species from attackers.
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