Caligo atreus

(Kollar, 1850)

Vernacular names
English : Yellow-edged giant owl
French : Hibou à bord jaune

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Notes : 5 subspecies known.

Identification
Huge species growing to a wingspan of 16 cm. Upperside violaceous-blue with bright yellow band on the edge of hindwings. Underside brown with lots of black vermiculations, distinct eye-like spots and broad yellow band.

Range and habitat
The species is found in Central and South America, from Costa Rica and Panama to Colombia and Venezuela, south to Ecuador. Lives in rainforests and nearby plantations, from sea level to 1300 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status hasn’t been assessed. It has a huge range but could be locally declining because of deforestation.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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