Bug FAQPunchinello
Zemeros flegyas · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Riodinidae
The Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas) is a small tropical butterfly about three-quarters of an inch long, found in South and Southeast Asia (Riodinidae family). Adults have a vinaceous-brown upperside with ochraceous veins, while the underside is bright ochraceous brown with larger white spots edged in black. Its larvae feed on Maesa species and become full-grown by the end of March, attaching themselves to the underside of host-plant leaves before pupating.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Males show a vinaceous-brown upperside with ochraceous brown veins. The underside is bright ochraceous brown, veins paler, and white spots with black borders are larger and clearer.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure about 0.75 inch in length. Typical length ranges from 0.55 to 0.70 inch.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
The species shows distinct wet- and dry-season forms like many tropical butterflies.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on leaves of Maesa species such as M. chisia, M. montana, and M. indica.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Full-grown larvae appear at the end of March. Before pupating, the larva attaches its last segment to the underside of a host-plant leaf with silk, head toward the leaf tip, and secures its middle with another silk band.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Wet- and dry-season forms occur, reflecting seasonal changes in its tropical habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What do adult Punchinello butterflies look like?
Males have a vinaceous-brown upperside with ochraceous veins, and a bright ochraceous brown underside with larger white spots edged in black.
Source: Wikipedia
How big is a Punchinello butterfly?
Adults are about three-quarters of an inch long, typically ranging from 0.55 to 0.70 inch.
Source: Wikipedia
What plants do Punchinello caterpillars eat?
The larvae feed on Maesa species, including M. chisia, M. montana, and M. indica.
Source: Wikipedia
When do Punchinello larvae become full-grown?
They reach full size by the end of March.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Riodinidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zemeros_flegyas
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.