Morpho Menelaus

Morpho Menelaus – Brazil. Lepidoptera Nymphalidae. The male is practically overall metallic blue. Also called blue morpho, the name comes from King Menelaus of Sparta. The larva, which is red-brown with yellow-green spots, feeds on plants during the night. Cannibalism is also often observed in this species. The adult butterfly uses its proboscis to drink the juice from rotting fruits, as well as fluids of dead animals and fungi. Its touch sensors lies on its legs and it may perceive substances into the air through the antennae. Pietro Castellano Collection.