Malachite butterfly
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Malachite butterfly ( Siproeta stelenes ) |
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| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The malachite butterfly ( Siproeta stelenes , syn .: Metamorpha stelenes ), or also just called malachite , is a butterfly (day butterfly ) from the family of the noble butterfly (Nymphalidae).
description
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 83 to 101 millimeters. The basic color is black to black-brown. There are several large, yellow-green to malachite-green short transverse bands and spots on the forewings. Because of the similarity of this color to the mineral malachite , the species received its German name. In the case of butterflies or collection copies that have been flown for a long time, the green color fades and then takes on yellowish tints. There is also a large green spot on the hind wings that fills the entire root area. In addition, there is a chain of green spots that run along the outer edge. A short black tail can be seen near the tornus . The undersides of the wings show a similar green speckled pattern as the upper sides, but the basic color is more orange or brownish in color.
egg
The eggs are dark green in color and are usually deposited individually on the underside of the food plants.
Caterpillar
Adult caterpillars have a black basic color and are equipped with many black and fleshy red thorns on the back and sides. There are two long, thin, black, straight horns on the head, which end in a spherical shape.
Doll
The falling doll is pale green in color, covered with black dots and has two long horns on its head. The Kremaster is black.
Similar species
The somewhat smaller, but similar in color, magnificent passion butterfly ( Philaethria dido ) differs mainly in its longer and narrower wing shape and a green longitudinal stripe on the upper side of the forewing.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the malachite butterfly includes the south of Texas and Florida , Central America and large parts of northern and central South America . The species prefers to live in subtropical forests.
Way of life
The moths fly in several generations throughout the year. They like to suckle on different flowers to take in nectar. They also absorb fluids and minerals from moist soil, overripe fruits, excrement or carrion. Sometimes they rest in groups in the vegetation. The caterpillars feed, among other things, on the leaves of acanthus plants (Acanthaceae), for example Ruellien ( Ruellia ) and Justicia species.
Subspecies
The following subspecies are distinguished:
- Siproeta stelenes stelenes in Jamaica and Saint Croix
- Siproeta stelenes biplagiata in Mexico , Honduras and Costa Rica
- Siproeta stelenes insularis in Cuba
- Siproeta stelenes meridiomalis in Brazil and Peru
- Siproeta stelenes sophene in Ecuador
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Elizabeth Balmer: Butterflies: Recognize and determine. Parragon Books, 2007, ISBN 978-1-4075-1203-7 , p. 118.
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America butterfliesandmoths.org
- ↑ a b c James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Ca. 1986, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 274.
- ↑ Pictures of butterfly and caterpillar butterflies.heuristron.net ( Memento of the original from October 19, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Distribution and subspecies nic.funet.fi
literature
- James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford CA. 1992, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 274.
Web links
- Malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) in the Encyclopedia of Life . Retrieved August 11, 2017.