The Red Pierrot (Talicada nyseus) is a small but beautiful butterfly found in South Asia. The butterfly has a wing span of 3 to 3.5cm. The upper side of the wing is black and the lower side is red in colour.

The Red Pierrot is a weak flier, and flutters about close to the ground. It flies in short bursts and settles often but not for very long. It basks with its wings half open, but prefers shade to sun and jungle or undergrowth to open areas.

It is not a common butterfly, but is found in abundance near its host plant the Kalanchoe. The female lays her eggs on the underside of the leaves. The caterpillar is pale yellow to dirty white in colour.

Citations:

We photographed and filmed this butterfly at Banergatta Butterfly Park Bangalore on 15th Mar 2009. The reference was collected from Wikipedia.