Project Description

Males and Females are sexually dimorphic. Males: six orange spot on a black background. Females: cream colored band on the edge of the forewing and no band on the hindwing.
Habits: Usually solitary. Males perch in high up in the canopy from morning to early afternoon. Females fly during mid-day. Range: Mexico – S.Brazil, Argentina. Most common in wet forests, less common in mountain forests. Seldom abundant.

Wingspan: 2.25 – 2.75 inches (55- 70 mm)

Host Plant: Larvae are known to feed on Alchornea costaricensis and A. latifolia; both are woody species known to have medicinal properties.

Males perch on vegetation and wait for receptive females to pass. After mating, females spend the warmest parts of the day cruising waterways and paths looking for host plants to lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the host plant until they are ready to form their chrysalides. The male and female are sexually dimorphic in this species.

Habitat: Adults spend the majority of their time in wet forest habitats.

Female

Female Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly
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Male

Male Grecian Shoe Maker Butterfly
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