Morpho adonis

Morpho adonis, the Adonis morpho, is a Neotropical butterfly. It is found in Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru. The wingspan ranges from 70 to 90 millimetres (2.8 to 3.5 in).

Adonis morpho
Morpho marcus marcus, dorsal, MHNT
Morpho marcus marcus, ventral, MHNT
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Morpho
Species:
M. adonis
Binomial name
Morpho adonis
(Cramer, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Papilio marcus Schaller, 1785
  • Papilio adonis Cramer, 1775 (preocc. Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
  • Morpho adonis (Cramer, 1775)

Morpho adonis is a species group which includes several species.

  • Morpho adonis (Guianas, Cayenne)
  • Morpho eugenia (Guyana)
  • Morpho uraneis (Brazil)
  • Morpho marcus probably conspecific with adonis and the correct name.
Ucayali River habitat in Peru

Habitat

Morpho adonis is found in mid-elevation rain forest at altitudes between about 300–1000 meters above sea level.

Behaviour

In 1913, Hans Fruhstorfer wrote: "Dr. Hahnel reports its capture at Iquitos and Pebas. There it flies quickly and impetuously (sometimes at an elevation of 12 ft.), dashing out from among the branches, crossing the road and following clearings among the trees, in which they sail along just over the tops or in and out among the branches."[1]

Etymology

The butterfly is named for the mythological Adonis, the Greek god of beauty and desire.

References
  1. Fruhstorfer, H., 1913. Family: Morphidae. In A. Seitz (editor), Macrolepidoptera of the World, vol. 5: 333–356. Stuttgart: Alfred Kernen.
  • Le Moult (E.) & Réal (P.), 1962–1963. Les Morpho d'Amérique du Sud et Centrale, Editions du cabinet entomologique E. Le Moult, Paris.
  • 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 232 as Morpho adonis, ssp.huallaga Michael, female fig.3 (Peru), ssp.huallaga Michael, male underside fig. 5 (Peru), ssp. adonis, male fig 4 (Guyana).
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