Owl Butterfly Caligo atreus two pupae

Owl Butterfly Caligo atreus pupae

This is one of the largest South American butterflies and magnificently coloured, on a par with Morphos for impressiveness and beauty.

The underside not only has the characteristic huge owl eye markings, but it is uniquely patterned with complicated cream areas.

Like Morpho butterflies, the Owl species are crepuscular, flying mainly at dusk and dawn. They feed avidly from rotting fruit.  If you are lucky enough to have a tropical greenhouse you can expect these to breed in the presence of the larval foodplant, Banana trees. If you don't have such conditions you might be lucky in these warm conditions if you use a large cage with potted banana plants.

Owl Butterfly pupae are vast - at least the size of the Birdwing pupae - and they resemble folded decaying leaves of the Banana tree, on which the larvae have been feeding. Suspend the pupae from the tail, in suitably warm, shaded and moist conditions, sit back and await one of the greatest experiences of nature!