The gorgeous iridescent blue of the Blue Morpho butterfly’s upper wing surface is not actually a color – it is due to the reflection and refraction of light from tiny ridges and pits on the scales covering the wings.
Many a photographer has been frustrated when a Blue Morpho lands, as it typically does, with its wings closed: the underside is a much less showy dark brown with subtle eyespots.
You can see three species of Blue Morpho in the center: Morpho peleides, the common Blue Morpho; Morpho menalaus, Menalaus Blue Morpho; and Morpho achilles, Achilles Blue Morpho. If you are lucky you may also see the White Morpho, Morpho polyphemus.
These butterflies do not visit flowers; instead they sip the fermenting juices from overripe fruit.