Adult, Morpho peleides. Morphos are one of the staple butterflies exported by Costa Rica Entomological Supply.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Adult, Morpho peleides, feeding from a fruit plate in the garden at The Butterfly Farm in Costa Rica.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
1st instar larva, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
5th instar larvae, Morpho peleides, entering the prepupal stage. Tomorrow they will be pupae.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ova, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Head & thorax of an adult Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
2nd instar larva, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ova, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Adult, Morpho peleides ovipositing.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Adult, Morpho peleides ovipositing.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
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.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ovae of Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
3rd instar larvae of Morpho peleides on the underside of the leaves of one of its host plants, Machaarium.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ova, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Adult, Morpho peleides, emerging and extending its wing to dry. In a few hours it will embark on its maiden flight.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
4th instar larva of Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
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.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Recently emerged 1st instar larvae of Morpho peleides on their host plant.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Female Morpho peleides ovipositing. Notice the "dew drop" like egg adhered to the leaf beside her.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Recently emerged adult of Morpho peleides grasping onto its pupal shell while her wings extend and dry.
Photo: D. Perlman
Recently emerged 1st instar larvae of Morpho peleides in a breeder's petri dish.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ova, Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Underside of a hind wing of Morpho peleides.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Ova of Morpho peleides. Notice the "crown" which indicates that the egg is fertile.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Freshly layed egg of Morpho peleides. It has not had sufficient time to form a crown.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
Female Morpho peleides ovipositing on a leaf of Machaarium sp.
Photo: J.A. Brinckerhoff
