butterfly identification guide - pacific science centerbutterfly identification guide . the tropical...
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PLEASE LEAVE THIS GUIDE IN THE TROPICAL BUTTERFLY HOUSE.
©2010 Pacific Science Center
FAMILY: PAPILIONIDAE — SWALLOWTAILS These butterflies have a distinctive flight. Though their front wings flap quickly, their hind wings barely move.
Morpho peleides Common Blue Morpho
Mexico through northern South America This large butterfly drinks juices from rotting fruits. Look for its jade green chrysalis in the emerging window.
FAMILY: MORPHIDAE — MORPHOS
BUTTERFLY IDENTIFICATION GUIDE The Tropical Butterfly House features butterflies from around the world. As many as 100 species sometimes live here. Use this guide to identify some of our favorite residents.
Please look with your eyes and do not touch. Even a gentle touch can harm a butterfly.
Graphium agamemnonTailed Jay
Southeast Asia. These butterflies like sunny areas
where they sip nectar while hovering with wings in constant motion.
Parides iphidamas Pink Heart
Central America
Parides erostratus Dusky Swallowtail
Mexico and south to Belize Exhibits both sexual dimorphism
and mimicry. Male Papilio erostratus mimic the unpalatable Battus
philenor. Females resemble the poisonous Parides photinus.
(both sexes -underside)
Papilio rumanzovia Scarlet Swallowtail
Southeast Asia. These butterflies often roost
together in the ficus trees in the southeast corner of the Tropical
Butterfly House.
(male-top) (female-top)
Pachliopta kotzebuea Pink Rose
Southeast Asia Can be distinguished from similar
species in the Tropical Butterfly House by its red abdomen. Look for its reddish brown, fungus-shaped chrysalis in the emerging window.
Caligo memnon Owl Butterfly Central America
Like all insects, the owl butterfly has six legs. However, the two tiny front legs are usually hidden. There are several species of owl butterfly in the Tropical Butterfly
House — all love rotting fruit.
FAMILY: BRASSOLIDAE — OWL BUTTERFLIES
FAMILY: PIERIDAE — WHITES & SULFURS
Phoebis philea Orange Barred Sulfur
Southern United States to Argentina This butterfly flies fast, and for good reason. Some butterflies don’t taste
good to predators, but this one is a tasty treat.
(underside)
(underside)
Papilio cresphontes Giant Swallowtail
Southern Canada to Colombia The caterpillars of this species eat
citrus leaves and can be a crop pest in some areas.
Papilio polytes Common Swallowtail
Southeast Asia Look for these fast-flying butterflies
drinking nectar in sunny spots.
(female) (male)
Battus polydamusPolydamus Swallowtail
Southern United States through Central America
All of our butterflies are responsibly raised on butterfly farms. We do not purchase wild-caught butterflies
During your visit, look in the chrysalis window. You might even see a butterfly emerge. We purchase our butterflies in the chrysalis stage.
Butterflies are shown at approximately half size.
PLEASE LEAVE THIS GUIDE IN THE TROPICAL BUTTERFLY HOUSE.
©2010 Pacific Science Center
FAMILY: HELICONIIDAE — THE LONGWINGS These butterflies taste terrible to birds, who are warned not to eat the butterflies by their coloration. One exceptional characteristic of longwings is that they can eat pollen. Because of this they are long- lived —for butterflies!
FAMILY: DANAIDAE — MONARCHS or MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES
FAMILY: NYMPHALIDAE — BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES This and related families (Morphidae, Brassolidae, Danaidae and Heliconiidae) have only two pairs of walking legs. The front pair is reduced and sometimes brushy and feathery and is used to detect plant chemicals when choosing an egg-laying site.
Heliconius charitonius Zebra Longwing
Southern United States into South America
Dryas julia Julia
Southern United States through Central America
and the Caribbean
Cethosia biblis Lacewing
Southeast Asia Named for the lacy pattern
on its underside.
Hypolimnas bolina Great Egg Fly
Southeast Asia, Australia & the south coast of Africa
This is another butterfly whose folded wings hide
bright color inside.
Heliconius hecale Golden Helicon
Mexico to PeruSeveral other species in this exhibit resemble this one. When several
bad-tasting butterflies mimic each other, it is called the
Müllerian mimicry.
Myscelia ethusa Royal Blue
Central America The blue on this small
butterfly’s wings is one of the most intense colors in
the Tropical Butterfly House.
Catonephele numilia Numilia
Central America through Brazil With wings open, the male is one
of the most striking butterflies in this exhibit. Males and females
have very different coloration. This is called sexual dimorphism.
(underside)
(underside)Dryadula phaetusa Oak Tiger or
Banded Orange Mexico to Brazil
Lycorea cleobaea Large Tiger
Central America Compare this butterfly with
Heliconius hecale. They mimic eachother. Even the butterflies themselves become confused
when looking for mates.
Danaus plexippus Monarch
The Americas and Southeast Asia The monarchs in this exhibit are not the population famous for migrating
to Mexico. Ours are from tropical environments where they are usually sedentary throughout their life cycle.
Idea leuconoe Rice Paper or
Paper Kite Butterfly Southeast Asia
Its large, yellow-and-black chrysalis is very noticeable in
the emerging window.
(female)
Parhenos sylvia Clipper
Southeast Asia This butterfly is often seen
around the pond areas, resting with open wings.
(male)
Prepona omphale Blue Belly-Button
Mexico & south to the Amazon Basin.
Like many butterflies, this species has two vastly different appearances — a flashy color on the top of the wings and a camouflaged underside.
(underside)(underside)Siproeta stelenes Malachite
Southern United States to the Amazon Basin
Although brightly colored, this butterfly can successfully hide among the green leaves in the
Tropical Butterfly House.
Heliconius melpomene H. cydno H. eleuchia H. doris Red Heliconius doris Blue Heliconius sara