Morpho cypris

Morpho cypris is a very charming butterfly from Neotropic ecozone (South America). The first description was in 1851 by Westwood. With a wingspan of 12.0 – 14.0 cm Morpho cypris is a big member of the family NYMPHALIDAE. Nearly all Morpho butterflies are blue, because of the phenomenal microscopic structure of there scales. Morpho cypris is a typical member of genus Morpho and also blue with white spots.

Photos for easy identification

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

These are nice photos of Morpho cypris (male). Morpho cypris is a member of the family NYMPHALIDAE from Neotropic ecozone (South America).

Description

The forewings are brilliant blue. At the margin there is a chain of white spots. There is a chain of big white spots in the middle of wing. Some structures of underside show through the wing.
The underside is light brown and whitish and marmorate. There are three big eyes on wing.

The hind wings are brilliant blue. The margin is ridged. At the margin there is a chain of white spots. There is a broad white band on wing. Some structures of underside show through the wing.
The underside is light brown and whitish and marmorate. There are six big eyes on wing.

The body is black.

Sex differences: The female is orange and yellow. The margine is brown. It has no blue scales, but it is bigger than the male.

Macro photographs

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (underside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (underside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Morpho cypris (underside)

Here you can see some macro photographs of Morpho cypris.

Distribution

Morpho cypris is a butterfly of the Neotropic ecozone (South America). The distribution is restricted to Panama and Colombia.

: This world map shows the ecozones in which this butterfly is distributed.

Larval food

Inga marginata

General information

The first description of this butterfly was in 1851 by Westwood. There is only one subspecies.

Morpho cypris lelargei [Oberthür, 1921]

The females are very shy and life in treetops of rainforest.

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 14.06.2006)
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/)