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Project Noah Nature School
Caligo Illioneus
The markings on their wings are to remember eyes, and, thus confuse their predators to their find that the butterfly is seeing they. The genus Latin name "Caligo" means "darkness" and may possibly refer to the active periods, as these butterflies preferentially fly in dusk. The species name "Illioneus" derives from "Ilionesus", a Trojan survivor companion of Aeneas in the Latin epic poem Aeneid, written by Virgil.
I found this specimen in a region of transition between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.
This specimen landed in my purse while I was on the bus coming home.
Not in fact. But I can get. I have a pot full of this butterflies here at home... What better way to shoot the wings?
Caligo memnon (actually Caligo telamonius memnon) is a Central American species and not found in Brazil. Do you have a full open wing shot?
Glad i could help. This must have been really nice, this butterfly landing on your purse :)
It ... I really think that is a Owl Butterfly. Already knew of this butterfly, but could not remember the name.
It looks like an owl butterfly to me ... http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2008/12...
Spotted on May 5, 2012
Submitted on Dec 19, 2012
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