Reference image

Didier Descouens · Original image & credits · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image is cropped for display. View uncropped original

INSECTS

Blue morpho butterfly

Meet blue morpho butterfly—one more extraordinary life to discover.

Discover the expedition atlas

A CLOSER LOOK

A reference overview

The Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is one of 30 species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae. 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. Its iridescent wings are an area of interest in research due to their unique nanostructure.

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · Morpho menelaus, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT

The evidence behind this discovery

Source-linked

This overview is attributed to Wikipedia contributors and was retrieved on 2026-10-09. Retrieval is not independent scientific review.

Reference media

The picture has a linked creator and license. Extinct-animal images may show a fossil, specimen or reconstruction; a reconstruction is not a photograph of the living animal.

Scope and uncertainty

Map points represent selected regions, not complete ranges or live sightings. References and identifications can change. A linked source is not an expert certification.

Read our evidence and editorial approach →

LET ONE QUESTION OPEN ANOTHER

Where will this discovery take you?

Another discovery in Brazil

Jaguar ↗

Compare two selected regional records, rather than assuming identical habitats.

Another insects discovery

Monarch butterfly ↗

Notice similarities, then follow the sources to explore the differences.

FOLLOW A QUESTION

What can a picture tell you? ↗

Use the visual clues to narrow a collection, then compare animals and check their references.

Follow a discovery guide ↗

Saved on this browser.

Return to your museum collection

Blue morpho butterfly

A reference overview

The evidence behind this discovery

Where will this discovery take you?

Jaguar ↗

Monarch butterfly ↗

What can a picture tell you? ↗

More insects to discover

Monarch butterfly

Common swallowtail

Western honey bee

Bumblebee

Seven-spot ladybird

Atlas moth