Giant Owl Butterfly
Image: Yazareth Torres (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameGiant Owl Butterfly
Scientific NameCaligo memnon
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)140
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, plantations
Geographic RangeMexico, Central America, South America
Host Plantsbanana, plantain, sugarcane
Flight PeriodYear-round
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly or in small clusters; caterpillars are large with horned heads; pupation occurs in a smooth, leaf-like chrysalis, from which the adult butterfly emerges.
Identification TipsKey features are its very large size and the unmistakable large, concentric eyespots on the underside of the hindwings, which mimic an owl's eyes.
Description
A large, robust butterfly with cryptic brown and grey wings, most notably featuring prominent, owl-like eyespots on the underside of the hindwings.
