Blue Morpho Butterfly

The blue morpho's wings are not pigmented blue — microscopic ridges reflect light so the wings flash brilliant blue in flight and darken to brown with a row of eyespots when folded, hiding the resting butterfly. Caterpillars are red-brown with false eyes and defensive bristles. Adults sip rotting fruit and sap and are a favourite sight at rainforest lodges; habitat loss is their main threat.