Adult, Morpho peleides, feeding from a fruit plate in the garden at The Butterfly Farm in Costa Rica.
1st instar larva, Morpho peleides.
5th instar larvae, Morpho peleides, entering the prepupal stage. Tomorrow they will be pupae.
Head & thorax of an adult Morpho peleides.
2nd instar larva, Morpho peleides.
Adult, Morpho peleides ovipositing.
Adult, Morpho peleides ovipositing.
Adult Morpho peleides resting on a banana leaf. While the adults will drink from a (preferrably) rotten banana, the leaves of the banana tree are not acceptable as a host plant for Morpho.
3rd instar larvae of Morpho peleides on the underside of the leaves of one of its host plants, Machaarium.
Adult, Morpho peleides, emerging and extending its wing to dry. In a few hours it will embark on its maiden flight.
4th instar larva of Morpho peleides.
Adult, Morpho peleides. It's unusual for a Morpho to stay still on a leaf with it's wings wide open. Serious photographers can spend a lot of time waiting for the opportunity to see one cooperating. Of course, a casual visitor with an instamatic camera may chance upon this scene and not think twice about it.
Recently emerged 1st instar larvae of Morpho peleides on their host plant.
Female Morpho peleides ovipositing. Notice the "dew drop" like egg adhered to the leaf beside her.
Recently emerged adult of Morpho peleides grasping onto its pupal shell while her wings extend and dry.
Recently emerged 1st instar larvae of Morpho peleides in a breeder's petri dish.
Underside of a hind wing of Morpho peleides.
Ova of Morpho peleides. Notice the "crown" which indicates that the egg is fertile.
Freshly layed egg of Morpho peleides. It has not had sufficient time to form a crown.
Female Morpho peleides ovipositing on a leaf of Machaarium sp.
