Wood nymph butterfly in a frame

Species: Idea leuconoe

Common Name: Wood Nymph Butterfly

Origin: South East Asia

Size: 5x7" Shadowbox Frame

The large wood nymph, is a butterfly known especially for its presence in butterfly houses and live butterfly expositions. It has a wingspan of 12 to 14 cm. Characterised by having translucent white wings patterned with black veins, and numerous oval black spots. They are noted for their slow and very graceful flight, which gives them the appearance of white handkerchiefs floating gently on the breeze. It might appear therefore that they would easily fall victim to avian predators, but like many other butterflies of the Danaines Idea are poisonous or highly distasteful to birds and are not often attacked. The slow flight is their way of advertising the very distinctive pattern, which birds, through past experience, associate with a very unpleasant taste.

Also called Idea leuconoe by it's scientific name, they are mainly found in Southeast Asia but also Northern Australia and Southern Taiwan.