Morpho is the butterfly genus famous for structural coloration in rainforest wings.
Morpho butterflies are found in Central and South America. Many species appear brilliant blue, but the color does not come mainly from blue pigment. Instead, microscopic structures on the wing scales reflect particular wavelengths of light, producing an intense metallic effect.
This structural color can look different as the viewing angle changes. A Morpho may flash brightly in flight and then become surprisingly difficult to see when it closes its wings, because the undersides are usually brown or patterned. The contrast helps explain the butterfly’s dramatic appearance in the shaded forest.
Morpho is a genus rather than one single species, so “blue morpho” is a common name for several large blue species. The genus is often confused with other tropical butterflies that have blue scales, but Morpho’s famous shine is especially associated with layered microscopic scale structures. Adults feed mainly on liquids such as fruit juices, while caterpillars eat plant leaves.