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Luminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Idea leuconoe
Lepidoptera / Nymphalidae
The tree nymph has broad pale wings patterned with black veins and spots. Experiments link egg laying to pyrrolizidine alkaloids in its host plant, and chemical analyses have isolated related compounds from adult bodies.
Read the species account
In Singapore, chersonesia inhabits coastal mangrove and back-mangrove vegetation, including Pulau Tekong. [2]
In a 1997 experiment, females laid eggs in response to an extract of Parsonsia laevigata. Three macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids—parsonsianine, parsonsianidine and 17-methylparsonsianidine—acted as egg-laying stimulants; several other tested alkaloids were inactive. [3]
The Singapore account describes adults gliding at treetop level. [2]
Chemical analysis of adult bodies isolated the pyrrolizidine alkaloids ideamines A and B, together with lycopsamine and parsonsine, in their N-oxide forms. The researchers identified these compounds as sequestered alkaloids. [4]
Singapore’s third-edition Red Data Book checklist classifies the native subspecies chersonesia as Critically Endangered nationally. [5]
Pale flat colour regions and bold dark venation preserve the tree nymph’s distinctive wing pattern. The outer contour remains clear around each broad wing. [1][2]
A closed display protects fragile wing margins and veins from dust and handling. Keep it away from direct sunlight, moisture and abrupt temperature changes.
Which plant is associated with egg laying? In the chemical experiments, Parsonsia laevigata extracts and three of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids stimulated females to lay eggs. [3]
Where do adults fly in Singapore? The regional account describes gliding at treetop height in coastal mangrove and back-mangrove habitats. [2]
Museum and Singapore accounts describe the adult and regional habitat. Honda and colleagues’ 1997 experiments examine egg-laying stimulants; Nishida and colleagues’ 1991 analysis identifies alkaloids in adult bodies. [1][2][3][4][5]
Florida Museum of Natural History · Accessed 2026-10-09
National Parks Board, Singapore · Accessed 2026-10-09
Honda et al.; Journal of Chemical Ecology 23:1703–1713 (1997) · Accessed 2026-10-09
Nishida et al.; Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 55:1787–1792 (1991) · Accessed 2026-10-09
National Parks Board, Singapore · Accessed 2026-10-09
Sources checked 2026-10-09. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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