• Orchid flower
  • The name Morpho derives from its use as an epithet of Venus.
  • 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.
  • The entire life cycle of the Morpho butterfly, from egg to death, is approximately 137 days. The adults live for about a month. Their predators are few for the adults retain poisonous compounds accumulated by the feeding caterpillar - a process known scientifically as sequestering.
  • Today, Blue Morphos and similar species are reared en masse in commercial breeding programmes. The iridescent wings are used in the manufacture of jewellery and as inlay in woodworking. Mounted specimens are sold with the abdomen removed to prevent its oily contents from staining the wings. Significant quantities of live specimens are exported as pupae from several neotropical countries for exhibition in butterfly houses all over the world.
  • The lamellated structure of their wing scales has been studied as a model in the development of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology such as that used in currency.
  • The butterfly is on a ocrhid which I raise

    Ike* - Montana's Best Kept Secrets
  • pretty - vampiregirl98
  • The blues morpho....!!!
    Kick the habit...!!!! - Erick-Pardus
  • I love the colors! Very soft and mellow! - vita82

Blue Morpho

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Blue morphos live in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. Adults spend most of their time on the forest floor and in the lower shrubs and trees of the understory, where they rest with their wings folded, camouflaged from predators. However, when looking for mates, the blue morpho will fly through all layers of the forest. Human observers most commonly see morphos in clearings and along streams where their bright blue wings are most visible. Pilots flying over rainforests have even encountered large groups of blue morphos above the treetops, warming themselves in the sun. The blue morpho’s entire lifespan lasts only 115 days, which means most of their time is spent eating and reproducing.

Our Butterfly Magic Exhibit will have many Blue Morphos this week for visitors to see at TBG

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