Head to head
Giant Owl Butterfly vs Blue Morpho Butterfly
Giant Owl Butterfly
VS Blue Morpho Butterfly
The giant owl butterfly and blue morpho are two large butterflies of Neotropical rainforest that both feed on rotting fruit rather than nectar, but they show very different faces to the world.
| Giant Owl Butterfly | Blue Morpho Butterfly | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Caligo memnon | Morpho peleides |
| Wings | Huge eyespots on the undersides that resemble the eyes of an owl | Brilliant blue upper wings and a dull brown underside with eyespots |
| Size | A large butterfly, with a wingspan of well over 10 cm | One of the larger butterflies within its range |
| In flight | Flies mainly at dusk and dawn rather than in the heat of the day | The vivid blue appears and disappears as the wings open and close |
| Adult diet | Juices of rotting fruit rather than flower nectar | Fermenting fruit juice, tree sap, and fungi |
| Caterpillars | Feed on banana and heliconia leaves and can damage banana plants | Not specifically documented |
| Range | Rainforest from Mexico through Central America to Brazil | Tropical rainforest from Mexico through Central America into South America |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated, though widespread and common | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Giant Owl Butterfly vs Blue Morpho Butterfly: common questions
Which butterfly has owl eyes?
The giant owl butterfly, which has huge eyespots on the undersides of its wings that resemble the eyes of an owl.
Which butterfly is a banana pest?
The giant owl butterfly, whose caterpillars can damage banana plants.
What do both butterflies eat as adults?
Both feed on rotting or fermenting fruit rather than on flower nectar.