Mexican Shoemaker

Mexican Shoemaker | Catonephele mexicana | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Female Mexican Shoemaker butterfly with closed wings. Butterfly is mottled grey and brown.

Mexican Shoemaker | Catonephele mexicana | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Male Mexican Shoemaker butterfly with closed wings. Butterfly is mottled reddish brown.

Mexican Shoemaker | Catonephele mexicana | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Male Mexican Shoemaker butterfly with open wings. Butterfly is black with a wide horizontal orange band through the center of the wings.

Mexican Shoemaker | Catonephele mexicana | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

green chrysalis with thin brown and tan lines like the veins of a leaf hanging from a stem.

Mexican Shoemaker, Catonephele mexicana, chrysalis. Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Common Name: Mexican Shoemaker
Scientific Name: Catonephele mexicana
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Biblidinae
Tribe: Epicaliini
Wingspan: 1.75 to 2.8 in
Place of origin: Central America

Butterflies in the exhibit are raised on butterfly farms around the world. This form of sustainable agriculture helps protect natural forest habitats from destruction and promote local economic growth.

View All Butterflies