CategoryHierarchies.com

The Blue Morpho butterfly is a stunning and easily recognizable species of butterfly that belongs to the family Nymphalidae. These butterflies are known for their iridescent blue wings, which can be up to 8 inches wide, and contrasting black borders. Despite their bright coloration, Blue Morphos are actually quite elusive in their natural habitat, as they tend to fly above the forest floor and quickly close their wings when at rest, making them difficult to spot. These butterflies can be found in tropical rainforests throughout Central and South America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. They are primarily found in lowland forests, but have also been known to inhabit mountainous regions at elevations up to 5,000 feet. Blue Morphos are herbivores, feeding on a variety of plants as caterpillars and nectar as adults. The larvae of these butterflies tend to feed on leaves from various members of the pea family (Fabaceae) while the adult butterflies feed on rotting fruit, dead animals, and tree sap in addition to nectar. In terms of their place in the hierarchy, Blue Morphos are a type of butterfly that falls under the broader category of Butterfly Species, which is itself a subcategory of Butterflies, which is an order of insects within the class Insecta and phylum Arthropoda. These butterflies play an important role in their ecosystem as pollinators, and are also an important source of food for birds and other animals. Additionally, Blue Morphos hold cultural significance to many indigenous peoples throughout their range, who view them as symbols of beauty, transformation, and the spirit world.