Owl Butterfly (Caligo memnon)

Photographed in the butterfly house at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, this butterfly is native to Central America. The reason for the name "Owl Butterfly" is obvious, but there is disagreement between those who believe that the eye-spots are a form of mimicry that deters predators or a decoy that diverts attack away from the body of the insect.

Comments

Fizgig

Could be a bit of both -- deterrent & decoy. A predator will rarely attack prey that looks it in the eye because it's a waste of effort since it generally means it's been seen. Those eye spots also give the impression that the critter sporting them is bigger than it actually is. On the other hand, drawing predators away from the head means the animal is more likely to escape with its life. Those spots also aid with camouflage by mimicking spots of light in the undergrowth where most butterflies feed on flowers -- it breaks up the form of the animal, so a strike is much more difficult.

Anywho.... Nice shot =)

11 years ago.

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Owl Butterfly (Caligo memnon)

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