Blue Morpho Butterfly Facts
The Blue Morpho butterfly lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. With a wingspan of between 5 and 8 inches, it is one of the biggest butterflies in the world.
Its Spectacular Wings
Its brilliant blue wings are one of the most eye-catching sights in the rainforest. Female Blue Morpho butterflies have slightly duller wings, but they are still beautiful, dull blue with white spots and brown edgings.
The underside of the wings is a completely different story, dull brown dotted with several eyespots. When a Blue Morpho takes flight, the flapping wings flash between bright blue and dull brown. The effect is like watching the butterfly change color in mid-air. That flickering, changing look is exactly why it is called a morpho butterfly.
Life on the Forest Floor
Adult Blue Morpho butterflies usually stay near the ground and are often found among shrubs. When searching for a mate, though, they travel up through most of the layers of the forest.
What Do They Eat?
An adult Blue Morpho uses its long, straw-like proboscis to suck juice from rotting fruit. Unlike most butterflies, it does not visit flowers for nectar. It feeds on the juice of rotten fruits and on tree sap.
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5 quick questions. How much do you know about this rainforest jewel?
The Caterpillar Stage
When they hatch, Blue Morpho caterpillars are reddish-brown with bright green patches on their backs. They munch on leguminous plants and do their feeding at night, they are nocturnal.
Blue Morpho caterpillars really do not like being bothered. If something disturbs them, they release a foul-smelling fluid to drive predators away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Blue Morpho butterfly live?
Central and South America, tropical rainforests
How big is a Blue Morpho butterfly?
Wingspan 5-8 inches, one of the biggest butterflies in the world
What do Blue Morpho butterflies eat?
Juice from rotting fruits and tree sap, not flower nectar
Why is the Blue Morpho butterfly called 'morpho'?
The flapping wings alternate between bright blue and dull brown, making it appear to change color in flight, hence 'morpho' (changing).
Is the Blue Morpho butterfly endangered?
Experts consider it a threatened species, primarily due to deforestation and being killed for its wings used in jewelry.
Protecting the Blue Morpho
Experts consider the Blue Morpho butterfly a threatened species. Its biggest problem is the loss of its rainforest home due to deforestation and other human activities. On top of that, these butterflies are sometimes killed so their wings can be used in jewelry. The only real hope for their survival is if people stop destroying their habitat and refuse to buy products made from their wings.
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You can learn more about the incredible insects of the Amazon rainforest and how we can protect them.
Fun fact for today!The Blue Morpho's wings aren't actually blue pigment, the color is made by light bouncing off tiny scales!