Siproeta stelenes (Malachit, Bambuspage)

Siproeta stelenes, also called Malachit is a nice butterfly from Neotropic ecozone (South America). The first description was in 1758 by Linnaeus. With a wingspan of 8.0 – 9.0 cm Siproeta stelenes is a small member of the family NYMPHALIDAE. This butterfly is black and light green.

Photos for easy identification

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

These are nice photos of Siproeta stelenes (Malachit, Bambuspage). Siproeta stelenes is a member of the family NYMPHALIDAE from Neotropic ecozone (South America).

Description

The forewings are black. The margin is ridged. There are some big light green spots an wing.
The underside is light brown and whitish and marmorate. All light green spots from upside are also there.

The hind wings are black and have little tails. The margin is ridged. Nearby the body there is a broad light green band. In the middle of wing there is a chain of light green spots, but the first spot is orange.
The underside is light green. The margin is light brown. In the middle of wing there are three stripes in light brown, white and dark brown.

The body is black, but the underside is white.

Sex differences: None

Distribution

Siproeta stelenes (Malachit) is a butterfly of the Neotropic ecozone (South America). The distribution extend from Mexico to Suriname, Argentina and Chile.

: This world map shows the ecozones in which this butterfly is distributed.

Larval food

Ruellia, Blechum

General information

The first description of this butterfly was in 1758 by Linnaeus. There are only three subspecies.

Siproeta stelenes biplagiata [Fruhstorfer, 1907]
Siproeta stelenes meridionalis [Fruhstorfer, 1909]
Siproeta stelenes sophene [Fruhstorfer, 1907]

This butterfly is in disguise by flying in woods. The game of light and shadow bemazed the eye.

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 28.06.2006, La Serre aux Papillon, Paris

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 14.05.2006, House of Butterflies, Vienna

Here you can see Siproeta stelenes alive.

Protection provisions / Red List

CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora):

-no entry- (as at 23.06.2005)
EU regulation on trading with species of wild Fauna and Flora

-no entry- (as at 19.08.2005)
IUCN Red List of threatened species:

-no entry- (as at 2004) (see: www.redlist.org/)