The Blue Morpho is a large and striking butterfly known for its iridescent blue wings.
Wingspan ranges from 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.2 cm).
The dorsal side of the wings is a brilliant metallic blue, while the underside is brown with eye spots for camouflage.
The body is relatively small and black with some blue markings.
The Blue Morpho has clubbed antennae and a long, slender proboscis for feeding on nectar.
Known Range:
Native to Central and South America, including countries like Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Found primarily in tropical rainforests and cloud forests.
Diet:
As adults, Blue Morphos primarily feed on the nectar of rotting fruit, tree sap, and other organic matter.
As caterpillars (larvae), they feed on various species of host plants within the families Fabaceae and Rubiaceae, including plants like Leguminosae and Psychotria.
Breeding and Lifecycle:
Blue Morphos undergo complete metamorphosis, consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves of host plants.
The larvae hatch from eggs and go through several instars (molts) as they grow.
Caterpillars are typically green with spines and may have bright markings or camouflage patterns.
Once fully grown, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis (pupa) where it undergoes metamorphosis into an adult butterfly.
Adults emerge from the chrysalis and begin the process anew, continuing the lifecycle.
