Malachite Butterfly
by Tim Abeln
Title
Malachite Butterfly
Artist
Tim Abeln
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Siproeta stelenes (malachite) is a neotropical brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae). The malachite has large wings that are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upperside 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. Typically, the wingspread is between 8.5 and 10 cm (3.3 and 3.9 in). The malachite is found throughout Central and northern South America, where it is one of the most common butterfly species.
Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the family Acanthaceae, 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.
Uploaded
July 20th, 2017
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Comments (9)
Anita Faye
Tim, spectacular Malachite! Featured on Groovy Butterflies! https://fineartamerica.com/groups/groovy-butterflies.html
Lori Lafevers
What a gorgeous image Tim! I imagine capturing this beautiful photo,was like finding a pot of gold..lovely
Janet Marie
Tim, I love the colors in this particular butterfly, so very beautiful! She must be looking for the right leaf to lay her eggs. Butterflies are very particular!! Fabulous photography of butterflies!! A joy to my heart!! 💕And favorite Janet
Kathy Knopp
I love butterflies!
Tim Abeln replied:
Thanks Kathy! You may want to check out the other images in my gallery then, I posted a lot of butterflies lately! :)
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