Caligo memnon - giant owl or pale owl
This large owl butterfly ranges from Mexico to Columbia from sea level to 1400 meters elevation. It is distinguished from similar species by its size (13cm wingspan) and blue-gray dorsal wings with cream-colored patch on forewing. Its ventral wing surface is brown and tan with many lines and two large eye spots. Eggs are laid in small clusters and caterpillars feed on the underside of large-leaved monocots in the Order Zingiberales, including the non-native banana (Musa acuminata: Musaceae). C. memnon is crepuscular, resting for most of the day, though adults are sometimes seen feeding during the day on their diet of rotting fruit and sap flows. Large eye spots on wings may resemble predator eyes, but the main anti-predatory behavior is likely crypsis with eye spots acting as targets for predators, allowing the butterfly time to escape. |
