The Malachite Butterfly

Malachite Butterfly PEI

Photo courtesy of http://etsy.me/29a9XFW

Common Name: The Malachite

Scientific Name: Siproeta Stelenes

Wingspan: 8.5 and 10 cm (3.3 and 3.9 in)

Location: Central and northern South America

The malachite has large wings that are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upper-side and light brown and olive green on the underside. It is named for the mineral malachite, which is similar in color to the bright green on the butterfly's wings. Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the Acanthaceae family, especially ruellia. The larvae are horned, spiny, black caterpillars with red markings. Malachites often are confused with Philaethria dido. They have similar coloration, but their wing shapes are different.

Malachite Butterfly PEI