Malachite facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malachite
Scientific classification

The Siproeta stelenes, also known as the malachite butterfly, is a beautiful insect found in warm parts of the Americas. It belongs to a group of butterflies called "brush-footed butterflies" (family Nymphalidae). This butterfly gets its name from the mineral malachite, which has a similar bright green color to its wings.

About the Malachite Butterfly

The malachite butterfly has large wings. The top side of its wings is a striking mix of black and bright green or yellow-green. The underside is light brown and a color called olive green. These butterflies typically have a wingspan of about 8.5 to 10 centimeters (3.3 to 3.9 inches).

Where Do Malachite Butterflies Live?

You can find malachite butterflies all over Central America and the northern parts of South America. They are one of the most common butterfly types in these areas. Their home range stretches as far north as southern Texas and the very tip of Florida. They also live in Cuba, where they are known as a special type called S. s. insularis and S. s. biplagiata. To the south, they can be found all the way down to Brazil.

What Do Malachite Butterflies Eat?

Adult malachite butterflies are not picky eaters! They enjoy sipping nectar from flowers. But they also like to feed on things like rotting fruit, dead animals, and even bat droppings. These unusual foods give them important nutrients.

Life Cycle of the Malachite Butterfly

The life of a malachite butterfly starts when a female butterfly lays her eggs. She carefully places them on the new leaves of plants from the Acanthaceae family, especially a plant called ruellia.

When the eggs hatch, out come the larvae, which are also known as caterpillars. These caterpillars are black and have horns and spines. They also have red markings on their bodies.

After growing big enough, the caterpillar changes into a pupa. This pupa stage is green and has sharp, gold spines. These spines help protect the pupa from animals that might try to eat it.

Malachite Butterfly Look-Alikes

Sometimes, people might confuse the malachite butterfly with another butterfly called Philaethria dido. They both have similar colors. However, if you look closely, you will see that their wing shapes are different. This helps tell them apart.

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  S. s. insularis, found in Cuba

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  S. s. biplagiata, found in Honduras

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  S. s. stelenes, found in Jamaica

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  S. s. meridionalis - from the MHNT museum

See also

In Spanish: Siproeta stelenes para niños