The Menelaus blue morpho is one of thirty species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae, with a wingspan of about 12 centimetres; its dorsal forewings and hindwings are a bright, iridescent blue edged in black, while the undersides are brown. Its iridescent wings, of interest to researchers for their distinctive nanostructure, made it valuable among collectors and led to widespread hunting of the species in the twentieth century.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceBright iridescent blue dorsal wings with black edges, brown ventral surfaces, wingspan about 12 cm 1 Scientific Name Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Morpho menelaus
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The Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is one of 30 species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae.
Article body, wing description sentence
Its wingspan is about 12 cm (4.7 in), and its dorsal forewings and hindwings are a bright, iridescent blue with black edges, while the ventral surfaces are brown.
View the SourceCatalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: LepidopteraView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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