MALACHITE BUTTERFLY
The malachite butterfly, Siproeta stelenes is a beautiful butterfly from southern North America and northern South America. It's wings are bright green with thick brown margins after emerging from the chrysalis; the color fades within a few days. The undersides of the wings are orange-brown with green spots. The adult has a wingspan of 3 1/4 - 4 inches (8.3 - 10.1 cm). Adults sip rotting fruit and some nectar (especially lantana). The caterpillar is black with black spines and reddish markings; two long horns are one the head. The larval host plants is ruellia (Ruellia coccinea) and the green shrimp plant (Blechum brownei). Classification: Superfamily Papilionoidea, Family Nymphalidae, Genus Siproeta, Species S. stelenes.
If anyone can give more information, and, especially show me where a good photo of one is, it will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!! Blessed Be Sister and Brother spiritualists!!
