Malachite
Siproeta stelenes
Description 2 1/2-3" (64-76 mm). Large. Wings scalloped; HW tailed. Black above, diagonally banded and spotted with green - from pale jade (sometimes white) to deep emerald. Beneath, marbled green, pearl, black, and tawny, with tawny borders and a pair of tawny and white stripes crossing HW. Female paler above and below than male.
Life Cycle Egg laid singly. Caterpillar, to 2" (51 mm), velvety black with red bristles and 2 long, red horns curving back from head. Lime-green chrysalis may have pink spots; hangs from vegetation. Yerba papagayo (Blechum brownei) and other related species are recorded as
host plants.
Flight Year-round in Tropics.
Habitat Shrubby forest edges, disturbed secondary growth scrub, and woodland pathways and glades.
Range Texas and S. Florida, occasionally straying farther north; south well into Latin America; also Antilles.
Discussion A fresh Malachite is one of the most spectacular North American butterflies, but the marbled green fades upon exposure to sunlight. Florida Malachites may be strays rather than residents; more sightings have occurred in recent years but this probably reflects more searchers rather than more butterflies.
Source
