Our latest SOAR Butterfly of the Week is the blue frosted banner, also known as Catonephele numilia. If you’re looking at the photo above of the two wildly different looking butterflies, you may have thought we were highlighting two species this week, but actually, those are both blue frosted banners. Adult blue frosted banners have sexual dimorphism, which is when sexes of the same species have different characteristics, not just different reproductive parts. For the blue frosted banners, males are black with six orange dots on the dorsal surface of the wings, while females are black with a vertical light yellow stripe on both wings. So when you come into the pavilion, make sure you’re on the lookout for both! Here are some additional fun facts about this member of the Garden family.
Fun facts
- Blue frosted banners are part of the Nymphalidae family.
- Their estimated lifespan is about a month.
- They can be found in their natural habitat in Central and South America.
- Adults feed on rotten fruits, while caterpillars feed on Alchornea species.
- They can usually be seen flying close to the ground and close to the ripe fruits and flowers.
- Their wingspan is about 65-80 mm.
Want to see one for yourself? Make sure to get your tickets to SOAR today!
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