Owl butterfly

Family: Nymphs (Nymphalidae)

Distribution: Mexico, South America

Wingspan: Approximately 10 - 14 cm

Host plant: Mostly banana plants and heliconia

Caligo telamonius memnon, also known as the owl butterfly, is a large butterfly native to Central and South America, from Mexico to the Amazon. It is known for its large eye patches on the underside of its wings, which resemble owl eyes - a clever way to scare off predators.

The owl butterfly prefers tropical rainforests and is often found at forest edges or near banana plantations. It has a heavy and slow flight style and can only cover a few meters at a time, making it vulnerable to predators. Therefore, to reduce the risk of detection, it prefers to fly at dusk or in the early morning hours.

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