Diet

• The caterpillars feed on trees and shrubs in the legume family (Fabaceae).

• The caterpillars are gregarious, with young larvae feeding together on the leaves of their host plant. Eggs may also be laid in clusters rather than individually.

• Adults feed on flower nectar, visiting plants such as Pithecellobium, Albizia, Inga, Coffea, Cordia, Lantana and Citrus.

Range

• Melanis pixe occurs from Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica, with its northern limit reaching southern Texas.

• It is widely distributed in Mexico, including Guerrero, and occurs in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• The Red-bordered Pixie inhabits tropical and subtropical woodland, lowland riparian forest, thorn scrub, forest edges and secondary vegetation. It can also occur in parks, gardens and other disturbed habitats where its larval host trees grow.

• Adults frequently remain near their host plants and may perch on the undersides of leaves along forest margins.

• In Mexico the species occurs from the tropical lowlands into higher elevations, although it is primarily associated with warm wooded habitats.

Description

• The Red-bordered Pixie is a small to medium-sized metalmark with a wingspan of approximately 38–44 mm.

• The wings are predominantly black. The forewing has a conspicuous yellow-orange patch near the tip and a reddish patch near the base.

• The hindwing has a distinctive series of reddish to purplish-red spots along the outer margin, producing the red border responsible for the common name.

• The underside generally resembles the upper surface but is somewhat duller, while the contrasting orange-yellow forewing tip and reddish hindwing markings remain prominent.