Melanis pixe
# Melanis pixe

Melanis pixe, the red-bordered pixie, is a species in the butterfly family Riodinidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836.

## Description

Melanis pixe has a wingspan of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The upperside of the wings is black. The tip of forewing is yellow orange and the base has a red spot. The hindwing outer margin has a band of red spots. Eggs are laid in groups of 10 to 30 on the host tree leaves, stems, or bark and the caterpillars feed on the leaves.

## Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas south to Costa Rica.

## Biology

The larvae feed on Albizia caribea, Inga species and Pithecellobium species (including Pithecellobium dulce).

## Subspecies

pixe Mexico sanguinea (Stichel, 1910) Costa Rica - Panama

