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Blue Morpho Butterfly
Animal's Behavior
Adults are perfectly camouflaged when at rest with their wings closed. The males are very territorial and use their bright blue wings to scare off other males. When threatened they release a strong smell from a gland that opens between their front legs.
Eating Habits
They feed on the fluids of fermenting fruit, decomposing animals, tree sap, fungi and nutrient rich mud.
Range
Central America as well as Mexico and South America including Brazil, Costa Rica and Venezuela. Morpho butterflies dwell in the forest canopy layer and rarely come near the understorey and forest floor layers.
Animal Facts
- Morpho menelaus was named in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus (as Papilio menelaus) to honour the Greek mythological figure Menelaus, a king of Ancient Sparta.
Scientific Name
Morpho Menelaus
Classification
Animalia, Arthropoda, Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Morpho, M. menelaus
Place of Birth
Central America
Size
15 cm
Color
Blue iridescent
Lifespan
115 days
Where to See
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