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Common morpho

morpho peleides

Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

These Huge beautiful electric blue (photo 5) butterflies look almost like birds when they fly as it is a very slow flapping of their wings displaying their bright internal colours as they do so. The brilliant blue is caused by refraction of light from millions of tiny scales on their wings and they use this as a defense mechanism to ward away predators. They dont live for very long only 115 days from egg to adult and this ones wingspan is about 10cm (4in). The last photo was of one that got itself stuck in the shop at Asa Wright's but seemed to be feeding on something on the metal joist and was there for ages.

Habitat:

Seen in the grounds of Asa Wright nature centre, Arima Trinidad.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
Debbie Stewart
Thanks Karen, it was just sheer luck that I went into the little shop there when one had got in otherwise I wouldn't have managed to, yhey did get it out of the shop though so it was ok in th end.
KarenL
Well done catching the dorsal view! I managed a few shots of morphs with wings closed but getting the spectacular blue side is much tougher!
Debbie Stewart
Yes Lauren their slow flight and electric blue is breathtaking!
LaurenZarate
They are breathtaking to watch fly slowly through the forest. You just watch without breathing until it's gone.
Debbie Stewart
This one...http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/19316044
Debbie Stewart
in grounds of Asa Wright's Trinidad all open grounds apart from the shop which is where one flew in. there were alot there but it was hard catching one that stopped still long enough. while you are on here can you please have a look at an unknown one i posted from the same place please?
bayucca
Wild one or in a (closed) butterfly house?
Debbie Stewart
If you saw it with its wings closed fully you wouldn't DrP no but you definitely see it when its flying, or when part of its wing is torn. Its similar to the owl eye I posted as that is pale blue on the inside too :)
drP
You'd never guess from one side of the wing what the other side looks like!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Global Flight
Photos for Conservation
Mission
2013 Best Wildlife Photo

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 20, 2013

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