Morpho adonis explained

Morpho adonis, the Adonis morpho, is a Neotropical butterfly. It is found in Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru. The wingspan ranges from 70to.

Morpho adonis is a species group which includes several species.

• Morpho adonis (Guianas, Cayenne)
• Morpho eugenia (Guyana)
• Morpho uraneis (Brazil)
• Morpho marcus probably conspecific with adonis and the correct name.

Habitat

Morpho adonis is found in mid-elevation rain forest at altitudes between about 300–1000 meters above sea level.

Behaviour

In 1913, Hans Fruhstorfer wrote: "Dr. Hahnel reports its capture at Iquitos and Pebas. There it flies quickly and impetuously (sometimes at an elevation of 12 ft.), dashing out from among the branches, crossing the road and following clearings among the trees, in which they sail along just over the tops or in and out among the branches."^[1]

Etymology

The butterfly is named for the mythological Adonis, the Greek god of beauty and desire.

References

• Le Moult (E.) & Réal (P.), 1962–1963. Les Morpho d'Amérique du Sud et Centrale, Editions du cabinet entomologique E. Le Moult, Paris.
• Paul Smart, 1976 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World in Color. London, Salamander: Encyclopedie des papillons. Lausanne, Elsevier Sequoia (French language edition) page 232 as Morpho adonis, ssp.huallaga Michael, female fig.3 (Peru), ssp.huallaga Michael, male underside fig. 5 (Peru), ssp. adonis, male fig 4 (Guyana).

External links

• Butterflies of America Morpo marcus Images of type and other specimens
  • Butterflies of America Morpho eugenia Images of Neotype Butterflies of America Morpho uraneis Images of type and other specimens
• "Morpho Fabricius, 1807" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
• Fiebig Photographs.

Notes and References

1. Fruhstorfer, H., 1913. Family: Morphidae. In A. Seitz (editor), Macrolepidoptera of the World, vol. 5: 333–356. Stuttgart: Alfred Kernen.