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The tropics have more butterflies than any other ecosystem in the world.
They range widely in color, shape and size. Many have bright colors on
the insides of their wings, and dull patterns on the outside. The bright
colors may be use to attract a mate or to announce to birds their bad
taste. The dull patterns on the outside of the wings act as camouflage.
The warm year-round temperatures allow for lush plant growth and year
round flowers. This allows butterflies to feed and breed year round,
unlike many North American species.
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Common
Name: Grecian Shoemaker
Scientific Name: Catonephele numilia
Range: Mexico - S.Brazil, Argentina. Most common
in wet forests, less common in mountain forests. Seldom
abundant
Description: Males and female look very
different. Males: six orange spot on a black
background. Females: cream colored band on the
edge of the forewing and no band on the hindwing.
Habits: Usually solitary. Males perch
in high up in the canopy from morning to early
afternoon. Females fly during mid-day. |
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Common
Name: King Shoemaker
Scientific Name: Archeoprepona demophon
Range: Mexico - Amazon Basin. Widespread and common.
All forests and second growth forest habitats, but less
frequent in deciduous forest.
Description: Upperside has a greenish blue band -
the underside is pale brownish gray. The edge of the hind
wing is wavy.
Habits: Very
fast fliers. Fly in an erratic path. Make a rustling sound
that can be heard several yards away. Males perch head down
on trunks and vigorously chase other passing butterflies.
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Common
Name: Morpho
Scientific Name: Morpho grenadensis
Range: Nicaragua - Ecuador. Confined to the Atlantic
slope.
Description: Entirely
blue. Hindwings have short jagged "teeth" on the
margin. Eye spots on the underside of the hindwing do not
have "pupils"
Habits:
Usually
solitary. |
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Common
Name: Morpho
Scientific Name: Morpho peleides
Range: Mexico - Colombia and Venezuela.
All forest habitats. Common
Description: Varying
amounts of blue. Eye spots on the underside
of the hindwing have "pupils"
Habits:
Floppy zigzag flight. Often seen along rivers,
forest edges and coffee plantations. Males
active morning
and mid-day, females active mid-day. |
Common
Name: Owl
Scientific Name: Caligo atreus
Range: Mexico through Peru, Venezuela, Colombia -
a lowland species
Description: Known as owl butterfly because of large
spot (ocelli) on the hindwings. One of the largest neotropical
butterflies. Purple upperside and a broad yellow band on
the margin of the hindwing.
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Common
Name: Red Cattleheart
Scientific Name: Parides photinus
Range: Mexico to Costa Rica. Deciduous forest. Relatively
common.
Description: Blue
sheen on the hindwing and a double row of dots near the margin.
Habits:
Usually
solitary. Often seen along forest edges and road cuts. |
Common
Name: Royal Blue
Scientific Name: Myselia cyaniris
Range: Mexico - Peru. Rainforest habitats
Description: Iridescent
blue upperside (females less so).
Habits:
Males
perch 4-8 yards above the ground on tree trunks at the forest
edge. Females are active during mid-day. When at rest they
fold forewing down over hindwing - forming a triangle shape.
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Common
Name: Zebrawing
Scientific Name: Heliconius eleuchia
Range: Costa Rica - Ecuador, Colombia. Most common
in tropical wet forest.
Description: Yellow
band on the forewing and white band on the margin of the hindwing.
Rare in Costa Rica
Habits:
Frequently
seen flying along rivers (riparian areas) and ridge tops in
the early morning. |
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