Bug Identifier
Red Pierrot
Community identification

Red Pierrot

Talicada nyseus

Order & Family
Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae
Size
30mm – 36mm (Wingspan)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, open forests, and scrublands across South and Southeast Asia, specifically where Kalanchoe plants are present.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on floral nectar. Caterpillars are leaf miners, exclusively feeding on the internal tissue of Kalanchoe (succulent) leaves.

Behavior Patterns

Weak but fluttery fliers that stay close to the ground. They are unique among butterflies because their larvae live inside the leaves of the host plant rather than on the surface. They are active during the day (diurnal).

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans. They act as minor pollinators. In gardens, they may be considered a minor pest to ornamental succulent plants like Kalanchoe and Bryophyllum.