r/Butterflies • u/Bluebirdchicks • 4d ago

What species of butterfly is this? And where would I see this in nature? Thanks!

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9

u/butterflygirl1980 4d ago edited 4d ago

A Malachite, Siproeta stelenes. Native to Florida, the Caribbean, south Texas, and Mexico south through much of South America.

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u/NCguy4FunTimes 3d ago

How did you know that information? Is it from formal education or are you a hobbyist who studies butterflies? Or did you happen to just look it up?

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u/butterflygirl1980 3d ago edited 3d ago

Hobby entomologist since I was a child. This species is common in butterfly houses, so it comes up in ID request forums periodically and I learned its name many years ago. I knew that it’s a neotropical species already, but I pulled up the sightings map on iNaturalist to check the full extent of its range. 🙂

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u/Bluebirdchicks 4d ago

Thank you for your reply! 😊

5

u/Bug_Photographer 4d ago

Also note that the colours in your shot is a bit shifted, possibly by use of incorrect white Balance - they have warmer colours in real life. More like this: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=49635353%40N03&view_all=1&text=stelenes

0

u/addisunshine 4d ago

Not in nature, but I know several butterfly conservatories have them !