Large Neotropical nymphalid butterfly with a broad, rounded forewing and robust abdomen. Dorsal wings in males are vivid, iridescent electric blue produced by nanostructured scales; females are browner with more limited blue patches. Ventral surfaces are cryptic chocolate-brown with pale lines and several conspicuous ocelli that function in startle/camouflage. Wingspan typically 10–15 cm; body length ~3–4 cm. Antennae clubbed; forelegs reduced (brush-footed). At rest, wings close to expose mottled underside; in flight, alternating flashes of blue and brown create a “blink” effect along trails and river margins. The blue arises from a multilayered ridge system and thin-film lower lamina in the scales (not pigment).
Males are brighter blue dorsally and patrol edges/streams; females are larger, browner with restricted blue and fly higher/within canopy gaps.
10–15 cm
0.8gr
Adults ~2–4 weeks (wild); whole life cycle ≈ 100–120 days (egg→adult)
No enough data
No enough data
Reached at eclosion (adulthood)
Year-round in humid lowlands; activity peaks in wet season
Females lay ~100–200 eggs singly on host plants over several weeks (varies)
Large Neotropical nymphalid butterfly with a broad, rounded forewing and robust abdomen. Dorsal wings in males are vivid, iridescent electric blue produced by nanostructured scales; females are browner with more limited blue patches. Ventral surfaces are cryptic chocolate-brown with pale lines and several conspicuous ocelli that function in startle/camouflage. Wingspan typically 10–15 cm; body length ~3–4 cm. Antennae clubbed; forelegs reduced (brush-footed). At rest, wings close to expose mottled underside; in flight, alternating flashes of blue and brown create a “blink” effect along trails and river margins. The blue arises from a multilayered ridge system and thin-film lower lamina in the scales (not pigment).
Humid lowland to premontane forest on both slopes; most often along forest trails, river corridors and edges, including second-growth and plantations. Occurs from near sea level to roughly 1 200–1 500 m in Costa Rica.
Adults are primarily frugivores/sap feeders, visiting fallen fermenting fruit, tree sap, dung and carrion; larvae feed on various trees, especially Fabaceae (e.g., Inga, Machaerium, Platymiscium, Andira, Pterocarpus) and Rubiaceae (Genipa americana).
