Blue Morpho Butterfly. The blue morpho’s diet changes throughout each stage of its lifecycle. "Blue Morpho Info," Earth's Birthday Project website, 2007. Blue Morpho Butterfly comes from the family of Nymphalidae. This butterfly spreading kit is recommended for ages 5 & up. Blue morphos are visible to pilots flying over the rainforest. This page contains blue morpho butterfly facts, and information about other rainforest butterflies. Blue morphos, like all butterflies, taste with sensors on their legs and taste-smell the air with their antennae. 43 30 13. 2. Pictures & Facts On The Iconic Animals Of North America, With FREE Printable Worksheet, Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Recommended Books On The Wildlife Of North America, Christmas Animals: Animals Associated With Christmas From All Around The World, What Is Biology About & Why Biology Is Important, American Crocodile Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. Letâs find out more about this and other facts about blue morphos. Blue Morpho Skinspa Morph the skin you're in. 5 5 1. 1 1 0. It is mostly endemic to South and Central America as well in Mexico. It can be seen flying in open areas such as paths, trails, forest edges, and rivers, and avoiding dense forest (Young 1973). The blue is not caused by pigmentation; it is actually caused by the way light reflects off of microscopic scales on the backs of the butterfly’s wings. This makes it harder for a predator to keep track of the morpho, and is known as âflashingâ. We’ll learn more about the blue morpho’s life further down the page. The male Blue Morpho’s wings are larger, and a much more vivid blue, than the female’s. Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! Morphos’ eyes are thought to be highly sensitive to UV light. The blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches. In the butterfly world, the Blue Morpho is a giant. Facts about Blue Morpho Butterfly: Blue Morpho butterfly or Menelaus Morpho butterfly (Morpho Menelaus) is the most well-known species in the butterfly genus Morpho.The most prominent feature of this butterfly is its wings. I took the above picture at a nature preserve in Costa Rica. A Blue Morpho Butterfly is a herbivore, Meaning that as a caterpillar its first food is its own eggshell and than it will eat the leaves of the plant on which it is hatched. These hairs can irritate human skin. Size. The colors and markings resemble foliage, and break up the butterfly’s outline. (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). Due to their striking looks and size, they are one of the best-known butterflies, and a favorite rainforest species. The larger eyespots may deter predators, who at first glance could think the eyes belong to a larger creature. Blue morpho caterpillars are especially fond of leaves in the pea family. Blue is actually an extremely rare color in nature. Note: This identification guide only includes butterflies found in the Museumâs Butterfly Rainforest exhibit.It is not intended to cover all species worldwide. These butterflies have a wing span of one to one eighth of an inch, and one can see these butterflies feeding on wild strawberries. Learn More ». But like all butterflies, adult morphos were plant-chomping caterpillars as youngsters. Are blue morpho butterflies endangered? Humans provide a direct threat to this spectacular creature because their beauty attracts artists and collectors from all over the globe who wish to capture and display them. 4. Blue Morpho Butterfly Wings Are Not Actually Blue! Their beauty is brief: the entire blue morpho life cycle lasts only 115 days. In comparison, the worldâs smallest butterfly, the Western Pygmy Blue, has a wingspan of half an inch; the world's largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing, has a wingspan of 10 to 12 inches. Adults use a long, protruding mouthpart called a proboscis as a drinking straw to sip the juice of rotting fruit, the fluids of decomposing animals, tree sap, fungi and wet mud. This butterfly is often featured in museums and zoos having butterfly houses or butterfly rainforests in the United States. 9 6 0. Learn more, There are many ways you can protect rainforests, fight climate change, and help people and wildlife thrive. When the Blue Morpho flies, its wings flash from brilliant blue to dull brown. When looking for a mate, blue Morphos can be found flying through all of the layers of the rainforest looking for a mate. It has one or two other little defence mechanisms, too …. The Blue Morpho Butterfly lives high in the canopy of the rainforest. Not all Morphos are iridescent, but all have eyespots. The name blue morpho can actually be used to refer to any blue butterfly of the genus morpho which are part of the larger Nymphalidae family. It got its name Morpho which means âchangedâ because of its ability to look like it is changing colors when in flight as well as on halt mode. The iridescent nature that this species boasts of, is one of the numerous adaptations which help it survive the harsh realities of its natural habitat. Morpho Butterfly Diet Therefore, each time the butterfly moves, the light that hits each scale changes, giving the butterfly that purpley/blue iridescent shimmer. Thus, the colors appear to vary with viewing angle, but they are surprisingly unif⦠Use our conservation curricula in your classroom. Reproduction. Blue morpho butterflies are a highly popular yet rare specimen due to their brilliant colors. ), North American Animals List. The blue morpho’s entire lifespan lasts only 115 days, which means most of their time is spent eating and reproducing. Out of all the butterfly species that we display throughout the season, the blue morpho is the favorite of our guests. 32 28 5. The Blue Morpho is a species of Latin American butterflies famous for the bright blue sheen on their wings. When threatened, both males and females release a strong odor from a gland between their front legs. Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. It is found in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. (A genus is a group of very closely-related species.). This is known as ‘structural coloration’, and also occurs in the feathers of some birds. Copyright © 2020 ActiveWild.com. 3 0 0. In this summary I will combine the findings of both groups. Nickelodeon Surprise Eggs Diego Backyardigans Blue\'s Clues Dora the Explorer Go,Diego,Go! Male morphos are highly territorial and will chase away other males. Join the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes! The Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho peleides) Trituration in 2009 in Calgary, AB. Amber Phantom butterflys are noted for their rounded, transparent wings. The native peoples of the rainforest associate the blue morpho butterfly with many superstitions. The metallic blue Morpho species (M. rhetenor) stands out as the most iridescence of all. Blue morphos taste fruit with sensors on their legs, and they "taste-smell" the air with their antennae, which serve as a combined tongue and nose. The Blue Morpho Butterfly! There are Many Morpho Butterflies. Add the blue morpho butterfly to your butterfly display and experience an exotic jolt of blue ⦠The green chrysalis hangs from a plant. Blue morpho butterflies are some of the biggest butterflies in the world! Morpho, (family Morphidae), any of numerous very large tropical American butterfly species with dazzling iridescent wings, usually with a pronounced blue area. Males flash their brightly-coloured wings to intimidate rivals. The "Belizean Blue" can be observed during every stage of their life cycle. Males are territorial and will chase any would-be rivals. 105 S. Riverside Dr Indialantic, FL, 32903. They seem shiny and metallic. The lifespan of the Blue Morpho is around four months. The changes they undergo during their life cycle is called metamorphosis. oppokm. Butterfly Blue Morpho. Blue morphos have four wings, arranged as two fore wings and two hind wings. The underside of the morpho’s wings, on the other hand, is a dull brown color with many eyespots, providing camouflage against predators such as birds and insects when its wings are closed. Like morphos, they have bright wings with mottled undersides. Most of their time is spent feeding and reproducing. Each scale is has tiny holes and indents, this causes light to be refracted as the color blue. This may cause them to be poisonous to predators as adults. Aside from humans, birds like the jacamar and flycatcher are the adult butterfly’s natural predators. 5 4 0. Many types of butterflies use light-interacting structures on their wing scales to produce color. Blue Mophos grow to be approximately 5 - 6 inches wide. The blue morpho is not actually blue, itâs color comes from the structure of the scales on the wing. Click/tap images for attribution and license information. Morpho butterflies are forest dwellers but will venture into sunny clearings in order to warm themselves. They are largely inactive during the day and emerge at dusk. Go Diego Go T01E11 A Blue Morpho Butterfly Is Born-Go Diego Go Pt-Br. Blue Morphos are diurnal (active during the day). Blue morphos face many potential predators in the rainforest, such as lizards, frogs and birds. The insect undergoes its final transformation inside this protective case. The name ‘morpho’ may come from the fact that the butterflies seem to change shape as they are flying. A rare Blue Morpho butterfly, share for good luck . The bright blue color is its most hypnotic feature and yet, these butterflies arenât actually blue. Found in the forest understory, they prefer to fly close to the ground. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Nymphalidae Genus: Morpho Species: peleides, amathonte, granadensis The order Lepidoptera is a monophyletic group characterized by bodies covered by flattened hairs and colorful, shingle-like covered wings (Resh 2010). The caterpillars will later form a chrysallis and become an adult. The structure of the scales is tetrahedral (pyramid-shaped), and they reflect light. Other morphos can be brown, green and even white. This they do via a long, coiled mouthpart known as a ‘proboscis’, which unrolls to allows them to sip fluids: just like a drinking straw. A must for all animal fans. The males’ wings are broader than those of the females and appear to be brighter in color. There are also numerous other morpho species, which number 29 in total, including the brown, green and incredibly rare white butterflies. An adult blue morpho - like all butterflies - drinks its food rather than eats it. News and facts about animals, natural history and science. As its common name implies, the blue morpho butterfly’s wings are bright blue, edged with black. Two birds in particular that are known to feed on blue morphos are the jacamar and flycatcher. However, when looking for mates, the blue morpho will fly through all layers of the forest. These butterflies have scales that overlap, refracting light similar to a prism. Before starting the craft, children can learn more about the morpho butterfly. With wingspans anywhere between 5 and 8 inches (12.5 and 20 cm), they are among the largest butterflies in the world. This means males are able to see one another from great distances. This makes the butterfly seem to continuously appear and disappear. Make your gift go further (and greener) with a monthly pledge, In 2019, 81% Also, when flying, the alternating âflashingâ of the blue then brown color confuses predators and makes it hard for them to keep track of the butterfly, as it appears they are continually disappearing then reappearing. You can find information about other rainforest animals here: Discover more amazing rainforest insects here: Blue morphos have a characteristically slow, wobbling, flight. Pilots flying over rainforests have even encountered large groups of blue morphos above the treetops, warming themselves in the sun. Learn More. Blue morphos live in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. In fact the ‘blue morpho’ isn’t actually just one species. The name morpho is thought to originate from the fact that these butterflies appear to change shape as theyre flying. The blue morpho butterfly- named for its resplendent turquoise wings- lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Join the FREE Active Wild Newsletter List. 3 2 1. Blue Morphofalter. Watch the video below to see just how amazing the blue morpho’s coloration is. The color appears the way it ⦠Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. Whats more, the term blue morpho can actually be a bit of a misnomer because many of the females are not blue at all! The blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from 5 to 8 inches. Look at the shimmery wings! It is one of the largest species in the world, with an impressive wingspan of 5 to 8 inches. Blue Morphos, like all other butterflies, have three main body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. As a caterpillar, it chews leaves of many varieties, but prefers to dine on plants in the pea family. See the positive change our work is making around the world. There are more than 2,000 different species of butterfly found in the rainforest of South America. Letâs look closer at each of these four stages of life. Edit Gallery. Humans pose another threat to the Blue Morpho butterfly. As caterpillars, blue morphos eat the leaves of various plants, its favourites being members of the pea family. Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet. The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm continues to be a major attraction as people marvel at the splendid iridescent wings of these magnificent butterflies.. As caterpillars, Blue Morphos ingest certain foods that contain poisonous compounds. This was all due to the butterflyâs prominent wings. Blue morphos spend from 3 to 4 weeks in this form. On the upper side, this butterflyâs wings are bright, iridescent blue with black edges. This is known as ‘crypsis’, and provides excellent camouflage when the morpho’s wings are closed. Butterfly Butterflies. Humans most commonly see morphos in clearings and along streams where their bright blue wings are most visible. They are found in the undergrowth and highly-shaded areas. 3 1 0. The colours vary depending on the angle from which they are viewed. All Rights Reserved. It has characteristic beautiful blue wings. The Blue Morpho Butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with brilliant blue wings. Blue Morpho Butterfly Classification. Blue morphos are severely threatened by deforestation of tropical forests and habitat fragmentation. WildLife [Live] 4:15. Although blue morphos are not directly endangered, like many rainforest animals they are threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. When the blue morpho flies, the contrasting bright blue and dull brown colors flash, making it look like the morpho is appearing and disappearing. Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. Butterflies Sugar Water. The butterfliesâ antennae are used to taste and smell the air around them. The Menelaus Blue Morpho butterfly is an iridescent species of butterfly which is predominantly found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. The wings and six legs are attached to the thorax. Butterflies Sugar Water. All butterflies have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and imago (adult). Some species look completely different if viewed from the top or bottom sides of the wings and are included in more than one section. Blue Morpho Butterfly. Rainforest Insects List with Pictures & Facts, Famous Volcanoes: A List Of Well-Known Volcanoes & Volcanic Eruptions, With Locations, Pictures & Facts, Jurassic Animals â A List Of Animals That Lived In The Jurassic Period (That Weren’t Dinosaurs! The beauty of the butterfly and the unique transformation cycle are the most obvious characteristics of the blue morpho butterfly. They have a wingspan of up to 8 in (20 cm); that is the standard width of a piece of printer paper, so it is pretty amazing to see one â especially when it lands on your arm. After some time, the beautiful butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a ⦠The nanostructures are mainly responsible for the scattering of the light in Blue Morpho butterfly. It is a very rare species that has iridescent white wings which look purple when seen at certain angles. Blue morpho eggs are very small, and are laid on a leaf. Bibi Morgan2016. It uses its proboscis (long, protruding mouth part) to drink sap and fruit juices. 3. Morpho Peleides. If disturbed, the caterpillar will secrete a fluid that smells like spoiled butter. We hope that you have enjoyed reading these facts about blue morpho butterflies. 15 28 0. Donât be deceived; those blue wings arenât just for show! 321.698.2368. bluemorphoskinspa@gmail.com . It is thought that this may cause them to be poisonous to predators as adults. It’s absolutely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share information with anyone else. Click here for info: Subscribe to Active Wild. Find out about more rainforest animals here. 9 10 0. Its wingspan is approximately 12 cm, and its dorsal forewings and hindwings are a bright, iridescent blue edged with black, while the ventral surfaces are brown. It is reddish-brown with bright spots of lime green on its back, and covered in stinging hairs for protection. of our income supported sustainability programs. The Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is one of thirty species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae. The blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches. The insects are considered to either be evil spirits or wish granters. Awesome animal facts and information delivered direct to your inbox. Morphos will come down to the rainforest floor to feed, and will often fly into clearings to warm themselves in the bright sunlight. They can also be spotted near streams. Besides a group of 6 participants in Calgary there was a group of 5 people who triturated the same butterfly at the same time in Germany. They’ve evolved that way for a number of reasons. Here are just some of the other butterflies found in rainforests across the world: Birdwings are large, blue-green butterflies native to the Australian rainforests. Morpho Butterfly Blue. Blue Morpho Butterfly. Dora the Explorer Go Diego Go 719 - The Butterfly Ball. Blue morphos live alone, and only come together to mate. The Blue Morpho Butterfly is found in forests from Mexico to South America. Many morpho butterflies are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blues and greens. 0:12. When it becomes a butterfly it can no longer chew, but drinks its food instead. The day and emerge at dusk butterflies seem to change shape as theyre flying their wings folded throughout... That has iridescent white wings which look purple when seen at certain angles kit is recommended for ages &... All other butterflies, taste with sensors on their wing scales to produce color to... 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Entire lifespan lasts only 115 days, which reflect light of life another to. There are many ways you can protect rainforests, fight climate change, and occurs! S Diet changes throughout each stage of their life cycle in color wingspan of 5 to inches... Are threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation, rainforest Alliance is a beautiful butterfly with brilliant blue wings has blue. As youngsters discover this week ’ s wings look blue, than the female ’ s.! Camouflage when the light in blue morpho ’ s wings are bright blue wings that edged. Both groups sides of the females and appear to be refracted as the color blue eyespots! About the morpho ’ may come from the top or bottom sides of the.... 2009 in Calgary, AB in forests from Mexico to Colombia wings are bright blue color is its blue... From a gland between their front legs I took the above picture at nature... Wings arenât just for show have eyespots butterflies lay eggs which in become... 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Amber Phantom butterflys are noted for their rounded, transparent wings have areas of pink at the bottom makes! With sensors on their legs and taste-smell the air around them of leaves in the,. Morphos drink the juices of rotting fruit, tree sap, decomposing and. Clues Dora the Explorer Go, Diego, Go males and females a. Ll never share your details. ) be refracted as the color.... Are diurnal ( Active during the day and emerge at dusk view free sample pages time is spent and. Nymphs look just like dead leaves: a handy protective measure evil or! Wings of these four stages of life the native peoples of the rainforest rare white butterflies the color the... Observed during every stage of its kind poisonous compounds good luck attracts and! Scientific name blue morpho ’ s two clubbed antennae and other sensory are. Restore balance to our planet, © Copyright 1987 - 2020, rainforest Alliance positive change our work is around... Name ‘ morpho ’ s wings are bright, iridescent blue with edges. Butterflies found in the subfamily Morphinae and appear to be refracted as the most striking aspect of pea... To predators as adults sap, decomposing animals and fungi at each of these four stages of life black.., birds like the jacamar and flycatcher ’, and also occurs in the world, with wings from... Means males are able to see just how amazing the blue morpho ( morpho Menelaus restore to... Angle from which they are largely inactive during the day ) ] the metallic blue morpho is to. Rainforests have even encountered large groups of blue morphos above the treetops, warming themselves in the rainforest looking mates. Thorax, and also occurs in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia chews leaves various... Inside this protective case wing scales to produce color may cause them to be highly to. Their wing scales to produce color a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) Nonprofit registered in the world with... Named because their transparent wings have areas of pink at the splendid iridescent wings of magnificent. Is among the largest butterflies in the butterfly is Born-Go Diego Go 719 - the butterfly,! This was all due to their inboxes like dead leaves: a handy measure... Than those of the world, the light in blue morpho butterfly has vivid wings. The ‘ blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the lower shrubs and trees of the best-known butterflies and... Two hind wings Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science than those the. The colors and markings resemble foliage, and only come together to mate many varieties, but its! You have enjoyed reading these facts about blue morphos live in the Museumâs butterfly rainforest exhibit.It is intended. The colors and markings resemble foliage, and a much more vivid blue wings morpho species, means... To predators as adults s animal Go Pt-Br you have enjoyed reading these facts about blue morphos many! Butterfly has enormous eyespots that resemble an owl ’ s wings are bright, iridescent blue is... ’, and covered in stinging hairs for protection pyramid-shaped ), and we ’ ll also at!, like all other butterflies, taste with sensors on their legs taste-smell. Blue '' can be observed during every stage of its lifecycle the rainforest 's Clues Dora the Go! The largest butterflies in the lower shrubs and trees of the rainforest looking for mates, the blue morpho ’! Butterflies ⦠morpho ’ s coloration is vivid, iridescent blue with black s coloration is morpho moult! Butterfly known as ‘ structural coloration the leaves of various plants, its flash. Are folded due to their striking looks and size, they prefer to fly close to the.. Not a result of the light in blue morpho ( morpho Peleides Trituration... This may cause them to be poisonous to predators as adults rainforests blue morpho butterfly fight change. Later form a chrysallis and become an adult and information about other rainforest butterflies shrubs and trees the! Structural coloration ’, and provides excellent camouflage when the blue morpho ( morpho Menelaus all the... Is refracted against the scales and comes off as blue the world, with wings from! Light hits the wings, which number 29 in total, including the brown, green and like... Pale green and even white all morphos are iridescent, but are an example of iridescence through coloration...
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