Melanis pixe, the red-bordered pixie, is a species in the butterfly family Riodinidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836.

Red-bordered pixie
Melanis pixe, El Salvador
Scientific classification
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M. pixe
Binomial name
Melanis pixe
(Boisduval, 1836)
Synonyms
  • Limnas pixe Boisduval, [1836]
  • Lymnas pixe sanguinea Stichel, 1910
  • Lymnas crenitaenia Stichel, 1910
  • Lymnas crenitaenia f. signata Stichel, 1910
  • Lymnas pixe corvina Stichel, 1910

Description

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Melanis pixe has a wingspan of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The upperside of the wings is black. The tip of forewing is yellow orange and the base has a red spot. The hindwing outer margin has a band of red spots. Eggs are laid in groups of 10 to 30 on the host tree leaves, stems, or bark and the caterpillars feed on the leaves.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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This species is found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas south to Costa Rica.

Biology

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The larvae feed on Albizia caribea, Inga species and Pithecellobium species (including Pithecellobium dulce).

Subspecies

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pixe Mexico sanguinea (Stichel, 1910) Costa Rica - Panama

References

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  1. ^ "Red-bordered Pixie". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Metalmark Web and Data.