Home / Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) / Polyphemus White Morpho (Morpho polyphemus)

Polyphemus White Morpho (Morpho polyphemus)

The Polyphemus White Morpho is a butterfly with a simple coloration. It is one of the very few morpho butterflies that are white, instead of blue coloration. They are mostly seen active and flying between May and November, especially in Mexico.

Scientific Classification

Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Morpho
Common names: White Morpho
Scientific Name: Morpho polyphemus

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The larva has a brushy body with fine sets reddish of hair-like growth at the two ends and in the middle of the body, alternating with yellow coloration.

Pupa

The chrysalis is green, with a smooth body, hanging from the tip of its body from under the leaves of their host plants.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Not visibly present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, both the primary and the secondary wings display a bright white coloration, with some tiny markings in light brown and tan. When the wings are closed, they show a faint orange border, as well as a row of small eyespots on the secondary wings.

Average wingspan: Not reported

Flight pattern: Fast with rapid flaps

Eggs

Dull whitish in color, laid singly on host plant leaves

Quick Facts
Distribution	Mexico and Central America till Costa Rica
Habitat	Premontane forests of the tropical regions with a distinct dry season
Host plants	Paullinia pinnata (family Sapindaceae) and Inga (family Fabaceae)
Adult diet	Flower nectar, rotting fruit

Did You Know?

The small eyespots on the wing, the species gets its specific name polyphemus from a Greek mythological character with the same name, who was the one-eyed son of the sea god Poseidon and his wife Thoosa.
Some authorities consider Morpho luna as its subspecies, and accordingly, proposed to scientifically name it Morpho polyphemus.