This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (August 2016) |
Morpho didius, the giant blue morpho, is a Neotropical butterfly belonging to the subfamily Morphinae of family Nymphalidae. It is considered, by some authors, to be a subspecies of Morpho menelaus.
Morpho didius | |
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Dorsal view of male (MHNT) | |
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Ventral view of same specimen | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Morpho |
Species: | M. didius
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Binomial name | |
Morpho didius Hopffer, 1874
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Synonyms | |
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Description
editThis specimen is a gynandromorph (Musée d'histoire naturelle de Lille).
Morpho didius has a wingspan reaching 150 millimetres (5.9 in), making it one of the largest of Morpho species. The dorsal side of the wings are iridescent and metallic blue, and the forewings are quite elongated.
Distribution
editThis species can be found in Peru.
Biology
editThe larva feeds on palm trees.
References
editWikimedia Commons has media related to Morpho didius.
- BioLib.cz
- "Morpho Fabricius, 1807" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- Butterflies of America Images of type and other specimens of Morpho menelaus didius.
- Better Butterfly Creations
- Paul Smart, 1976 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World in Color. London, Salamander: Encyclopedie des papillons. Lausanne, Elsevier Sequoia (French language edition) ISBN 9780948427046 ISBN 0600313816 page 235 fig. 7 female (Peru)