Morpho aurora
Morpho aurora is a light blue butterfly from Neotropic ecozone (South America). The first description was in 1847 by Westwood. With a wingspan of 9.0 – 11.0 cm Morpho aurora is a big member of the family NYMPHALIDAE. The brilliant light blue depend on the phenomenal microscopic structure of the scales.
Photos for easy identification
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These are nice photos of Morpho aurora (male). Morpho aurora is a member of the family NYMPHALIDAE from Neotropic ecozone (South America).
Description
The forewings are brilliant light blue. The wing leading edge and the pinion is black. Some structures of underside show through the wing.
The underside is brown, grey and marmorate. There are four small eyes.
The hind wings are brilliant light blue. The inner edge is grey. The margin is black and white.
The underside is brown, grey and marmorate. There are four big eyes.
The body is dark brown or black.
Sex differences: The female is bigger than the male and has also brilliant light blue scales. The margin is broad and dark and include a chain of whitish spots.
Distribution
Morpho aurora is a butterfly of the Neotropic ecozone (South America). The distribution extend from Bolivia to the South of Peru.
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Larval food
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General information
The first description of this butterfly was in 1847 by Westwood. There are no subspecies.
The brilliant blue is a characteristic of nearly all members of genus Morpho. The phenomenal microscopic structure of scales excite interference, which erase all wavelength of light except for blue light. Therefore the wings are blue although there are no pigments.
Protection provisions / Red List
- CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora):
-no entry- (as at 23.06.2005) - EU regulation on trading with species of wild Fauna and Flora
-no entry- (as at 19.08.2005) - IUCN Red List of threatened species:
-no entry- (as at 2004) (see: www.redlist.org/)
Scientific name
Morpho aurora Westwood 1847
Synonym
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Classification / Taxonomy / Family tree
- Kingdom: ANIMALIA
- Phylum: ARTHROPODA
- Class: INSECTA
- Order: LEPIDOPTERA
- Suborder: DITRYSIA
- Superfamily: PAPILIONOIDEA
- Family: NYMPHALIDAE
- Subfamilie: MORPHINAE
- Tribe: MORPHINI
- Subtribe: MORPHINA
- Genus: MORPHO
- Specific name: AURORA
