Where do morpho butterflies lay their eggs?
leaves
Eggs: The eggs of Morpho peleides are small (approximately 1-2 mm in diameter), smooth, hemispherical, and laid on the upper surface of leaves (Urich and Emmel 1991, Constantino and Corredor 2004) (Figure 5). They are light green in color and have a circular band of small brown spots near the top (Figure 6).
Where do blue butterflies lay their eggs?
wild lupine plants
These adults mate, laying their eggs in June on or near wild lupine plants. The eggs hatch in about one week and the caterpillars feed for about three weeks.
What do blue morpho butterfly eggs look like?
Blue morpho eggs are generally laid on the underside of leaves so the larvae have something to munch on as soon as they hatch. The eggs are translucent and have the shape of small dewdrops. It takes about 7-16 days for the blue morpho to develop from an egg into the larval stage.
How long does it take for a blue morpho butterfly to hatch?
between 10-12 days
The female Blue Morpho will only lay it’s eggs on roughly 23 plants within the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family which is, you guessed it, the Pea Family. It takes between 10-12 days for the eggs to hatch.
What caterpillar turns into a blue morpho butterfly?
Blue Morpho caterpillars are a red brown color, with little patches of green. After a little while, the caterpillar forms a protective covering around its body called a chrysalis. While hanging from the tree, the caterpillar is inside the chrysalis, transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
Are blue Morphos dangerous?
Are blue morpho butterflies poisonous? Yes. As caterpillars, the leaves they feed on contained a poisonous compound which then makes them toxic to predators as adults.
How does a morpho butterfly lay an egg?
Morpho females use a variety of host plants and will lay a single egg on the underside of a leaf. Upon hatching, the first instar larva devours its empty shell, which provides an initial source of carbohydrates and proteins before it begins to feed on the host plant. It takes up to 12 days for the egg to hatch.
What kind of caterpillar is a morpho butterfly?
Morpho Butterfly Reproduction Like all butterflies, Morpho butterflies pass through four distinct phases of metamorphosis. First, the pale green eggs that resemble dewdrops hatch into larvae, better known as caterpillars. The caterpillar is red-brown with bright patches of lime-green on its back and has stinging hairs.
How long does a morpho butterfly live for?
The green color of the Morpho chrysalis blends in with the natural foliage and helps it stay hidden from predators. Once hatched, an adult Morpho lives for about two to three weeks. The entire life cycle of the Morpho butterfly from egg to death is approximately 115 days, or just under four months.
What kind of food does a blue morpho butterfly eat?
Unlike more conventional lepidopteran species, these butterflies rely on juices, not nectar and pollen. Their diet is also quite varied – they can feed on tree sap, juices of ripe or rotten fruit, or some other substances. Still, they also are essential for pollination.
How does the blue morpho butterfly live and reproduce?
However, at the time of searching for mates, the blue morphos can fly through all layers of the forest. Breeding/Reproduction: Butterflies live for reproduction; they reproduce and die immediately after laying their eggs. Male butterflies release chemicals called pheromones in their wings and attract as many females as possible.
Where do Morpho menelaus butterflies lay their eggs?
These butterflies lay their eggs one by one on the underside of host plants. The eggs are very small, are pale green in color and shaped like dew drops. The eggs are laid so that the caterpillars may feed as soon as they hatch.
How long does it take for morpho butterfly egg to hatch?
Morpho butterfly egg can change color to protect itself. The morpho butterfly egg usually takes 12-16 days to hatch. Their eggs also have their own ways to ensure survival.
How big is The wingspan of a morpho butterfly?
Morpho butterflies range in wingspan from the 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) to the larger 20 centimetres (8 inches) of the Sunset Morpho (M. hecuba). Many Morpho butterflies are coloured in metallic, shimmering shades of blue and green on the upper wing surface. The underside of the wings resembles foliage, with mottled brown, greys, blacks and reds.
