Siproeta stelenes

Malachite

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Charaxinae”
Estimated Lifespan 18 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 3021
First Flown On: 10/21/02
Last Flown On: 02/23/24

Species Range:

  • “NorthAmerica” “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • The larvae are known to feed on Cafetin (Blechum brownei) and Ruellia (Ruellia coccinea).

Food Source

Adults will feed from a variety of sources such as flower nectar, rotting fruit, bat dung, or dead animals.

Etymology Of Name

The origin of the genus Siproeta and the specie stelenes is currently unknown.

Habitat

The Malachite butterfly is primarily found in subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest but they are known to make long flights to visit orchards or plantations.

Life history

Males usually sit on plant foliage waiting for passing females, but they may also take slow leisurely flights to patrol for willing females. After mating the female Malachite butterfly lays her eggs singly on the newest growth of the host plants. A pupa is formed once the caterpillar has consumed enough host plant.

Flights

In the northern part of their range depending on the temperatures there can be two to three broods during the summer with a winter brood which hibernates. In the southern part of their range adults can be found most of the year.

Fun Facts

Malachite is a semi-precious green gemstone and the Malachite butterfly is so-named because of the pale green translucent patches visible on the upper sides of its wings.