The red lacewing butterfly, Cethosia biblis, is a striking brush-footed butterfly found from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia and into parts of East Asia and Indonesia. It belongs to the family Nymphalidae.
Males are vivid orange-red above, framed by black borders with white spots. Females are usually duller and more gray-brown, but both sexes have intricate undersides with red, white, black, and brown markings that look like lacework.
Red lacewings are often seen near forest edges, gardens, and sunny clearings where nectar flowers grow. Their bright colors make them easy to notice, but they also serve as a warning to predators.
The caterpillars feed on passionflower vines, especially species of Passiflora. These plants contain defensive chemicals, and the caterpillars' spiny bodies and warning colors help advertise that they are not an easy or pleasant meal.
As adults, red lacewings visit flowers for nectar and help pollinate plants as they move from bloom to bloom. Their dramatic colors and detailed wing patterns make them one of the most memorable butterflies in their range.