Morpho butterfly Morpho sp.
A bright blue flutterer.
The morpho butterfly lives in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, particularly in Costa Rica.
The morpho in a nutshell
- eats
- the juice of rotting fruit
- inhabits
- Central and South America
- excels at
- refraction of light
Spectacular appearance
The morpho butterfly is recognisable by its large, shimmering wings. The top of the wings are often blue or green in colour, but there are also white morpho butterflies. The spectacular appearance of these butterflies has made them much sought after by collectors. Indigenous populations also caught them for their spiritual rituals, and used the wings to make masks, amulets and jewellery. It later also became fashionable in Europe to have the butterfly as an exotic souvenir or to use it in creating art objects – which is the reason the butterfly is now protected.
Wings
The blue wings of the morpho butterfly reflect sunlight, making them visible from a great distance. The butterflies generally keep their wings closed, showing only the brown underside, as a means of concealing themselves from potential predators.
Nanostructure
There is no mistaking the blue appearance of the morpho butterfly. However, you may be surprised to know that the wings of the morpho contain no blue pigments at all! Instead, microscopic structures on the scales of the wings refract the light in such a way that the wings appear blue. Similar structures can be used as a sustainable alternative to paint.