Great Owl-Butterfly
Image: German school (Public domain)
Common NameGreat Owl-Butterfly
Scientific NameMorpho hecuba
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyMorphinae
Wingspan (mm)150
Wing Patterneyespot
Primary Colorsreddish-brown, black, white, blue
HabitatTropical rainforests
Geographic RangeNorthern South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana)
Host PlantsPoaceae, Fabaceae, Sapindaceae
Flight PeriodYear-round
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly; larvae are often hairy with a forked tail and feed on various tropical plants; pupae are typically green and smooth, resembling a leaf or fruit.
Identification TipsIts immense size, the distinctive reddish-brown underside with multiple large, multi-ringed eyespots, and its characteristic slow, gliding flight in the rainforest canopy are key identifiers. The upperside is typically iridescent blue, but not shown here.
Description
A very large butterfly with a striking reddish-brown underside, adorned with several prominent, concentric eyespots on the hindwings, typically found in the canopy of South American rainforests.
