The Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly (Catonephele numilia) is a small insect in the Nymphalidae family of butterflies. It is also known as the Blue-Frosted Banner or the Stoplight Catone.

The male Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly is black with six orange dots on its wings. The female looks very different. She is blue-black with a light-yellow band across the centre of her forewings (front wings).

Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly (male)

It measures about 6-8 centimetres (2-3 inches).

The Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly is native to Central America and South America.

The adult butterfly sips the nectar from fruit and flowers. Caterpillars (the larvae stage) eats plant leaves.

The female lays eggs, which hatch into caterpillars. As the caterpillar matures, it pupates into a chrysalis, similar to a cocoon. An adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. This is called metamorphosis.

It lives on average for 30 days.

Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly (male)

Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly (male)

Grecian Shoemaker Butterfly (male) with Owl Butterfly (below)

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls:SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM