Common Blue Morpho

The Common Blue Morpho (Morpho pelides) is a visitor favorite inside the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. This Central to South American butterfly typically resides in the forest along paths or waterways.

In addition to their large size, visitors are also impressed by their brilliant blue coloration found on their wings. Unlike most butterflies with pigmented color on their wings, the Blue Morpho’s color is structural in nature, which means the color changes as light refracts off the wings at different angles.

When you are in the Butterfly Wing, take a moment to watch a Blue Morpho as it flies around, and see if you can see the color change.

By Nathan Brockman – Curator of the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing