Teacup in Turquoise

Description

An antique china teacup appears to spill a small enchanted garden, with moss, roses, and wild florals flowing down in midair. Resting along the cascade are two luminous visitors, a Green Longwing and an Apollo Metalmark, turning the whole piece into a quiet moment of suspended magic.

Philaethria dido (Green Longwing / Scarce Bamboo Page):
This rainforest butterfly glows with bright green and black wings that warn predators of its toxicity, and it usually flies high in the canopy where it feeds on nectar from Cordia and Cissus flowers. Found across Central and South America, it occasionally strays into southern Texas.
Scientific classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Lepidoptera, Family Nymphalidae, Subfamily Heliconiinae, Tribe Heliconiini, Genus Philaethria, Species Philaethria dido.

Lyropteryx apollonia (Apollo Metalmark):
Known for its iridescent blue-green streaks and purple-pink patterned underside, this butterfly lives in the tropical rainforests of South America at elevations of about 200 to 600 meters. Adults sip nectar from plants like Lantana and Asclepias, while the larvae feed on Passifloraceae leaves.
Scientific classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Lepidoptera, Family Riodinidae, Subfamily Riodininae, Tribe Riodinini.