From Miami MetroZoo
(No butterflies were killed for this display)
The blue morpho butterfly, with an impressive wingspan of up to 8 inches, thrives in the Costa Rican rainforests. It is one of the world’s largest species of butterflies and certainly one of the most beautiful. The brilliant iridescent color of this insect is the result of the way many minuscule scales on the wings reflect natural light. The under side of the wings are brown with camouflage spots that look like eyes to protect these butterflies from predators. In fact when the blue morpho flaps its wings, it is difficult for predators (mostly birds) to keep track of its moving target. They are active during the day only.
Blue morphos can be found in Mexico, Central America and South America. They live for only approximately 115 days, spending time in the canopies of trees and also on the forest floor hiding from predators. They can often be spotted near rivers. When searching for a mate, the males fly over the tree tops.
Like all butterflies, the morpho has 4 different lifecycle stages: egg, pupa, caterpillar and adult. The eggs of this species is a light green color, while the caterpillar is a reddish brown with bright green spots. During the caterpillar stage, the morpho eats leaves, preferring those from pea plants, and will even eat other caterpillars. As an adult, the morpho diet consists of liquids only. A tube like feeder, known as the probiscus, is used like a straw to suck the juices from fruit and other plants as well as the liquids that come from dead animals. These butterflies can taste and smell through their antennae.
The deforestation of the world’s tropical forests are a threat to the survival of blue morpho butterflies. Also for many years people have captured them to enjoy their beauty. Beware when buying butterfly displays. Take care to make sure they were not killed for profit. We want to preserve our rain forests!
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