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Morpho helenor narcissus
This Neotropical butterfly is one of over 80 species of butterflies in the genus Morpho. This butterfies ventral side is brown and decorated with oceli or eyespots as a camouflage against its preditors. The dorsal side is a shimmering shade of blue The iridescent lamellae are only present on the dorsal side of their wings and is a result of the wings reflecting light. The lamellae reflect up to 70% of light falling on them, including any ultraviolet (UV). The eyes of Morpho butterflies are thought to be highly sensitive to UV light and therefore the males are able to see each other from great distances. Some South American species are reportedly visible by the human eye up to one kilometre away.
Primary forests and woodlands
Hi drmo, I forwarded the picture of this spotting to the butterfly conservatory in Costa Rica for possible identification. Here is their reply: Hola Jolly,
We believe this butterfly to be Morpho helenor peleides found on the east side of Costa Rica to the north central area of the country.
Glenn Baines
--
Butterfly Conservatory
El Castillo - Arenal
Costa Rica
Thanks for all of your time and effort. I appreciate the help. I have made the change.
I checked my Morphos and it is definitely NOT Morpho menelaus! It is Morpho helenor for sure and I am 95% sure it is Morpho helenor narcissus (5% is for Morpho helenor marinita).
Since I have ween tons of Morphos, mostly in butterfly houses, which are mis-IDed I do not trust "any" ID of Morphos anymore. The most reliable source is butterfliesofamerica.com: http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Morpho...
There is actually a Morpho menelaus from Central America: Morpho menelaus agathonte: http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/mo...
But this one has a more creamy surface and looks in my eyes completely different to the one from drmo. Menelaus is a typical species of South America:
http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/t/...
Not really. Not all are called morpho helenor. Take a look at this: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/i... . The only way to positively identify this butterfly is to have the dorsal view. Or we could settle by identifying this one as Blue Morpho Butterfly with scientific name Morpho Sp. This is only a suggestion. If you disagree, its up to you to identify this spotting.
If you look at the ones in the link, you might see that the Morphos from Costa Rica are called Morpho helenor xy, so Morpho helenor is already quite fine. I will try to check again (at home with my library). The problem is that in Morphos the dorsal view might to be very helpful, since they also look very similar. And maybe drmo have nevertheless a dorsal shot.
We do not have the dorsal view. I think we need to consult an entomologist to its positive identification. Unless you could positively say from the ventral view that its morpho helenor narcissus.
I don't think this one is Morpho menelaus. It is quite a tricky group since most of all look similar and you need both views to get closer. Morpho helenor is quite a big group. My closest guess would be Morpho helenor narcissus.
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/morpho_h...
Spotted on Jul 27, 2006
Submitted on Jun 25, 2012
