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Project Noah Nature School
Antirrhea philoctetes
Seen (only just) on one of the rainforest trails around Asa Wright's he undersides of the wings, which are displayed while the butterfly is at rest with its wings up, are shades of brown and tan. The earth tones help the butterfly blend in with the twigs, branches, and tree trunks of the tropical forest. seemingly preferring shaded areas on the forest floor amongst all the leaf litter.
Mountainous rainforest of Trinidad.
Thankyou to Bayucca for the Excellent ID suggestion.
Well it certainly was well camouflaged as I nearly trod on it! you are right though the mimetic colours meant it blended in perfectly and wasnt eaten by any of the many birds in the rainforest.
Look where you found it! Closed wings means usually perfect camouflage! Not be seen means not been eaten...
I never realised there were so many different Morphos and as I never saw it fly I didn't notice any blue on the internal wing. you learn something new everyday :) Thanks again for your help.
Yes I was, Thankyou very much Bayucca, I would never have looked under Morphos!
Spotted on Sep 16, 2012
Submitted on Mar 20, 2013
+1
