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.
Welcome! I am a Dutch photographer who just loves to go out and capture the beautiful world around us. Most of my photos are landscapes, animals and flowers. I started doing photography in 2015. Since then my perception has changed, I started seeing different things, started seeing.. Read more…