Fruhstorfer's Owl-Butterfly
Common NameFruhstorfer's Owl-Butterfly
Scientific NameCaligo fruhstorferi
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)120
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, black
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, plantations
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America
Host Plantsbanana, plantain, Heliconia
Flight PeriodYear-round
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe female lays small, pale green eggs, as seen in the image, which hatch into large caterpillars that feed on host plants before forming a chrysalis.
Identification TipsKey features for identification are its impressive size, the striking owl-like eyespots on the underside of its wings, and its characteristic slow, floppy flight, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Description
This large butterfly exhibits a cryptic brown and tan coloration on its underside, prominently featuring two large, dark eyespots on its hindwings that mimic an owl's eyes.
