Gold-edged Owl-Butterfly
Common NameGold-edged Owl-Butterfly
Scientific NameCaligo uranus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyMorphinae
Wingspan (mm)120
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, black, gold
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, plantations
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru)
Host PlantsMusa, Heliconia, Calathea
Flight PeriodYear-round (crepuscular)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are large, often striped or patterned, feeding on monocotyledonous plants. Pupae are typically green or brown and hang upside down, resembling a leaf or seed pod.
Identification TipsKey features include its very large size, the striking large eyespots on the underside of the hindwings that mimic an owl's eyes, and its characteristic crepuscular flight at dawn and dusk.
Description
A large, cryptically colored butterfly with prominent, owl-like eyespots on the underside of its hindwings, featuring shades of brown, tan, and black with intricate wavy patterns.
