# Blue Morpho Butterfly (*Morpho peleides*) The Blue Morpho Butterfly is famous for its stunning blue wings that shimmer in the sunlight! These butterflies are a delight to see in the jungle. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Legendary - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests - **Also known as:** Morpho Butterfly ![Blue Morpho Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424821/objects/5592.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue Morpho Butterfly has large, iridescent blue wings on top that shimmer intensely in the sunlight. Its underside is a dull brown with large, distinct 'eyespots.' This striking contrast makes it instantly recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Morpho ## Interesting facts - Their amazing blue isn't a pigment, but millions of tiny scales reflecting light! - Their bright blue wings flash, then vanish as they flip to dull brown! - They can taste with their feet to check if a plant is safe for laying eggs! - They don't drink flower nectar; they prefer to sip juice from fermenting fruit! ## Special abilities - **Dazzling Disappearance:** Blue Morpho Butterfly has brilliantly iridescent blue wings that helps them flash and disappear, confusing predators. - **Spotty Surprise:** Blue Morpho Butterfly can flash wing undersides with large 'eyespots' that helps them startle predators. - **Sweet Tasters:** Blue Morpho Butterfly has special taste sensors on its feet that helps them find juicy fruit or sap. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 120-160 mm - **Size:** 70-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They love to sip the sweet juices from rotting fruit and tree sap, not flower nectar! - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves; adults drink liquids. - **Primary Foods:** Fermenting fruit, Tree sap, Fungi, Mud puddles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Rufous-tailed Jacamar (*Galbula ruficauda*) — Fast-flying bird that catches adult butterflies. - **Eaten by:** Pale Spear-nosed Bat (*Phyllostomus discolor*) — Nocturnal bat that may prey on resting adults. - **Depends on:** Coca Plant relative (*Erythroxylum macrophyllum*) — Larvae feed on the leaves of this host plant. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue Morpho Butterfly? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Blue Morpho Butterfly's wingspan? 120-160 mm ### How big is Blue Morpho Butterfly? 70-80 mm ### How long does Blue Morpho Butterfly live? 14-21 days ### How fast can Blue Morpho Butterfly fly? 20 km/h ### What does Blue Morpho Butterfly eat? They love to sip the sweet juices from rotting fruit and tree sap, not flower nectar! ### Where is Blue Morpho Butterfly usually found? Tropical rainforests ### How does Blue Morpho Butterfly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Biosphäre Potsdam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biosphare-potsdam) — Brandenburg, DE · Zoo - [Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-house-missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Zoo - [Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-butterfly-and-nature-conservatory) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Palmengarten Frankfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmengarten-frankfurt) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Elbauenpark Magdeburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elbauenpark-magdeburg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Park [View all places to see Blue Morpho Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-morpho-butterfly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Blue Morpho Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-morpho-butterfly)