We have a new butterfly species joining us in SOAR pavilion, so we’ve decided to make it our Butterfly of the Week! Join us in welcoming the Mexican sister butterfly. This is the first time we’ve had this species in our exhibit! Mexican sister butterflies have a distinct wing pattern with a long white or cream band that goes vertically from the hindwing to the forewing and an orange spot on the tip of the forewings. Make sure to read the fun facts below to get to know this new species a bit before visiting it at SOAR!
Fun Facts:
- Adelpha fessonia is most commonly known as the Mexican sister butterfly but is also referred to as the Band-Celled sister butterfly.
- This butterfly’s common name has the word “sister” because the word “Adelpha” is Greek for sister.
- Mexican sister butterflies can be found in Panama, north through Central America to Mexico, and are sometimes spotted in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
- They have a wingspan of 2 – 2.75 inches.
- Male Mexican sister butterflies like to perch themselves in light gaps, or where ever the sun shines through the tree canopy of the forest.
- They enjoy eating rotting fruit! So keep an eye out for them around the feeding trays.
Ready to visit them in person? Get your tickets here!
