White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5
Morpho polyphemus
This record describes Morpho polyphemus (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Several subspecies and/or forms Morpho luna Group Morpho polyphemus ssp. luna (syn. M. luna) Morpho polyphemus ssp. luna (var. niveina) Morpho polyphemus ssp. luna (var. albina) East coast: Yucatan of Mexico, south into Guatemala, Belize and Honduras Morpho polyphemus Group Morpho polyphemus ssp. polyphemus Morpho polyphemus var. psukhe Morpho polyphemus var. selene Morpho polyphemus var. catarina (catalina) Usually associated with western slope forests and coastal habitats. Some populations identified as polyphemus may extend east into Vera Cruz. For details on the M. polyphemus Group, refer to the the following: White Morpho, Morpho polyphemus (Butterflies of America)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Satyrinae
- Tribe
- Morphini
- Genus
- Morpho
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
variable from tropical wet forests to tropical dry environments (incl. scrub)
Geographic Range
Mexico southwards. A rare stray to AZ. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Usual range incl. Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and nw, Costa Rica. Can be found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. rare stray into se. Arizona (Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties)?
Seasonal Activity
variable but usually March-October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Inga spp. (Fabaceae) Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Morpho polyphemus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5
What is White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5?
White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5 (Morpho polyphemus) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | variable from tropical wet forests to tropical dry environments (incl. scrub) |
| Range | Mexico southwards. A rare stray to AZ. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Usual range incl. Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and nw, Costa Rica. Can be found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. rare stray into se. Arizona (Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties)? |
What does White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5 eat?
The diet of the White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5 includes Inga spp. (Fabaceae) Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae).
When is White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5 active?
White Morpho - Hodges#4569.5: seasonal activity - variable but usually March-October.