Caligo memnon

Also known as Pale Owl Butterfly, Pale Owl, Giant Owl

Giant owl butterflies navigate tropical rainforest understories during twilight, flashing large hindwing eyespots that deter bird predators by mimicking the eyes of owls or amphibians. Caterpillars feed on wild bananas and Heliconia plants, growing to impressive lengths before metamorphosing into broad-winged adults. Instead of visiting flowers, adults spend their mornings sipping sugars from fallen, fermenting fruit and weeping tree sap.