Insect · GBIF taxon 5133265
Common Morpho
Morpho helenorAlso known as Helenor Blue Morpho, Common Blue Morpho
Common morphos flash brilliant iridescent blue upperwings as they flap rhythmically through sunlit forest canopy gaps and along tropical riverbanks. Underneath, their dull brown wings are dotted with cryptic eyespots, allowing them to instantly blend into dead foliage when resting with wings folded. Caterpillars feed on leguminous trees and shrubs, accumulating unpleasant compounds that discourage birds from preying on them.
IridescentTropicalDay-Active
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Rotting Fruit
- Tree Sap
- Mud Minerals
Predators
- Jacamars
- Flycatchers
- Forest Birds
ThreatsDeforestation, rainforest fragmentation, and specimen harvesting
HabitatsTropical rainforests, forest edges, clearings, and riverbanks
Life span2 to 4 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyNymphalidae
- SpeciesMorpho helenor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look near watercourses: Flashes of iridescent blue frequently patrol sunlit openings along tropical rivers.
- Use ripe bait: Fermenting bananas or sugar bait lures adults down from the high canopy to feed.
Genus Member 
Close Relative (c) Thomaz de Carvalho Callado, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomaz de Carvalho Callado · cc-by
Close Relative "Blue Morpho Butterfly" by Charles Patrick Ewing is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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