25 Malachite

Siproeta stelenes

Characteristics

Wingspan: 3.27–3.98 in (83–101 mm).

Flight season: All year.

Nectar sources: Lantanas and fruit trees.

Habitat: Forests and orchards.

Named for the green mineral of the same name, the malachite is a truly beautiful butterfly, whose upperwings sport spots and larger patches of translucent pale green on dark brown or black. The underwings are pale green, rufous-brown, and cream. The trailing edges of the wings are scalloped. This species is native to tropical South and Central America and Caribbean islands, but Cuban-based malachites colonized southern Florida in the 1960s, and there are now established populations there and in Texas. Individuals sometimes wander into other southern states. In the tropics, this is a forest butterfly, but in Florida it breeds in mango, citrus, and avocado orchards.

Males remain motionless on trees for long periods, periodically going in search of females with a slow, floating flight where dappled sunlight shines through the tree canopy. Females lay their eggs singly on the underside of leaves, particularly those of wild petunias. Adults go to roost in late afternoon, often gathering in groups on the underside of leaves. Although the adults’ main food is rotting fruit, this species is also an important pollinator, visiting the flowers of trees, including fruit trees and lianas.