The Blue Morpho Butterfly

The top side of the Blue Morpho Butterfly's wings is bright blue, edged with black, while the underside of the Morpho’s wings is a dull brown color with many eyespots, providing camouflage against predators such as birds and insects when its wings are closed. The vivid, iridescent blue is a result of microscopic scales on the backs of their wings; these reflect light. The Blue Morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan of 5 to 8 inches. When it flies, the contrasting bright blue and dull brown colors flash, making it seem like the butterfly is suddenly appearing and disappearing. Blue Morphos live in the tropical forests of Latin America, from Mexico to Colombia.