The Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is one of 30 species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae. Its wingspan is about , and its dorsal forewings and hindwings are a bright, iridescent blue with black edges, while the ventral surfaces are brown. Its iridescent wings are an area of interest in research due to their unique nanostructure. Due to its characteristic blue color, Morpho menelaus is considered valuable among collectors and was widely hunted in the 20th century.
Range
This neotropical butterfly is found in Central and South America, including the Cerrado which is a vast tropical savanna in Brazil. Other locations include Mexico Ancestors of the Morpho menelaus butterfly may have been distributed in the Andean regions. These butterflies collectively emerge in the beginning and the end of the wet season in Cerrado. The eggs are laid so that the caterpillars may feed as soon as they hatch.
Caterpillars
These social caterpillars feed on Erythroxylum, Dalbergia, and Fabaceae, and may prefer to feed on new leaves of host plants since these new leaves are easier and more nutritious to eat.
Adaptations
Eyespots on wings are visual anti-predatory adaptations that have evolved in many species within Lepidoptera. The eyespots are usually dark circles surrounded by a brighter outer layer. The 'pupil' of the eye has a sparkle that mimics the natural reflection of the cornea. These eyes are thought to deflect a predator's attack away from more vital organs and toward that spot on the wings. Bigger eyespots have also been shown to deter predators from attacking completely. Menelaus specifically has an eyespot that is in diameter on its ventral wings that it uses to help avoid predation.
Wing structure
The wings of Morpho menelaus are a prime example of iridescent blue coloration in the insect world. The bright and iridescent colors of other butterflies are typically caused by optical interference, but the iridescent blue color of butterflies in the family Morphidae results from the microstructures of the wings. Scientists use SEM, scanning electronic microscope, and spectroscopy, to understand the wings in greater detail.
Structural components
Each wing is covered in multi-layered scales, which are responsible for the coloration of the wings. The wing colors vary with viewing angle, a phenomenon referred to as structural color. Because the size of the microstructure is the same as the wavelength of light, the layers in the wings react strongly with visible light.
Collections
Morpho menelaus is unique because of its iridescent blue color and large wingspan.