Eastern Red Lacewing Butterfly

SPECIES Eastern Red Lacewing Butterfly
TAXONOMY Cethosia cydippe
STATUS Not Listed

Being the only predominantly red butterfly in Australia, the Eastern Red Lacewing is native to the tropical northern area of Queensland, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and nearby islands. It can be viewed from January to April. With a wingspan of 8 cm, it has scarlet red wings with a thick black border and a diagonal white patch on the forewings. Underneath, the wings are orange with arcs of white outlining black spots. 

Primary Larva Food Source

• Native passionfruit vine, Lacewing Vine (Adenia heterophylla)

Caterpillar

• Black with yellow bands.

• Covered in black spiky hairs.

• Feeds in groups.

Chrysalis

• Head downward from a cremaster.

• Pale brown, spiky, and with black markings and gold spots.

• Resembles a dead leaf.

Threats
The Eastern Red Lacewing butterfly has one of the shortest lifespans of only 7 to 10 days. It is one of the species openly advertised and bred for the purpose of release during special events such as weddings as an ‘eco-friendly’ experience alternative. The argument over this practice is the possibility of damage to local ecological systems by the possibility of the introduction of a species outside of its natural habitat.

Updated 5 May 2021