Morpho butterflies have captured our imagination, fascination, and appreciation for a long long time...
For millennia, indigenous peoples across a wide swath of many Central and South American countries were captivated by the shimmering beauty of these extraordinary butterflies. Naturally, just like us they too (from time to time) felt the need to "capture" in some manner the dazzling beauty for themselves. For example, the people along the Rio Negro of Brazil once exploited the territorial habits of the blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) by luring them into clearings with bright blue decoys or other dead morpho's. The collected butterfly wings were then used as an embellishment for ceremonial masks.
I well imagine the Spaniards were probably the first group of Europeans who would encounter morpho butterflies to any degree. Yet, I have found no remarks or anecdotal evidence in any books of encounters with the bright blue butterflies (though it may exist).
With the passage of time other European explorers and naturalists from Britain, France, and Germany would begin their great explorations into these primeval lands. Hence, the first described species of magnificent morpho would begin appearing in scientific literature in the mid-1700's.
Below, is a quick view of those first 5 species named. The first 3 were named in the same year. I have placed them alphabetically in order.
The following two species would come next and also in the same year. Again, in alphabetical order.
** Authors Special Note: Morpho adonis is no longer a valid species or subspecies.
It has been (replaced) by the species name Morpho marcus (Schaller, 1785) as per taxonomic rules.
The species would come slowly thru the years (at this point); however the allure of Morpho's would never waver !
In the late 1840's an intrepid 23 year old determined naturalist named Henry Walter Bates who showed an early interest in zoology would make a faithful trip or more-so expedition to the Amazon with another great collector named Alfred Russel Wallace. Together, they would collect scores of insect specimens for 4 years with Wallace stepping out to other adventures whilst Bates would continue on collecting in the region for another 7 years (11 total for him). Once back in England he would become a naturalist of legend in his own right !
Below, is a painting by Arthur Twidle (pictured in the International Butterfly Book/Paul Smart).
It depicts Bates viewing the enormous assemblages of South American butterflies on a sandy river bank. And yet, at the forefront of the depiction flies a big blue Morpho just above his head !
In his memoirs, he would recount his observances of Morpho rhetenor in flight: "When it comes sailing along it occasionally flaps its wings and then the blue surface flashes in the sunlight so that it is visible a quarter of a mile away"
MODERN TIMES:
The genus name Morpho comes from an Ancient Greek epithet, roughly "the shapely one", for Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Older literature has tended to list up to 80 species; a figure quoted in Paul Smarts book as well (1975). However, more recent phylogenetic research over these last 40 years or so indicates that many of these are subspecies or forms. There are in fact around 29 accepted species at least and still yet another 147 accepted subspecies found mostly in South America, Central America, and southern Mexico.
(Note: this last sentence comes from Wikipedia -- my books are too out of date for reliable numbers...)
(Side-note: Morpho have certainly experienced a broad radiation within species !)
Now VERY generally speaking Morpho's as a group are (so to speak) divided into roughly 3 groups by enthusiasts based on color. There are the "blues", the "whites", and the "browns".
A. The Blues cover quite a few species although as a "splitter" I see them as some what separates. You see, about half of them are "truly" almost entirely blue (in the males) with some highly reflective or iridescent species. Examples are rhetenor, didius, menelaus, anaxibia, cypris, aega, aurora etc. and all their associated subspecies. But, then you have the other half which appear more as a "blue-banded" group of species which seen to have quite a bit more black present on the wings.
Below, I feature this second half which I speak of:
B. The whites pretty much make up the fewest numbers of species and are represented by some opaque white ones such as polyphemus and luna, a greenish-white type represented by epistotrophus/canternarius, and two highly reflective "pearlescent" species -- silkowskyi and godarti including all the respective subspecies.
Below, a sampling of this 2nd generalized grouping:
Above photo: taken from the International Butterfly Book/Paul Smart; just could not get a GOOD photo of mine !
C. The browns also cover quite a few species and consist of the hecuba/theseus/telemachus species as evidenced below in the photo's.
Of coarse, these grouping are just generalities but, morpho have been "scientifically divided" into 9 Subgenus groups. If you want that (more in depth) information then please consult the internet ! Its all there...
ABOUT THOSE MISSING ABDOMENS:
A while back I posted a photo of one of my Morpho drawers and a member "quipped" why so many missing abdomens... Other members were quick to note that unfortunately morpho abdomens are prone to "greasing" and this spreads easily to the wings. While, it may not happen technically all that often -- it does happen inexplicably. One member noted that the "brown" species seem particularly problematic. Males of morpho's are most often affected...
Of coarse, unless you can catch your own specimens and spread them in a timely manner then like the rest of us you are left to the whims of good or bad luck whilst relaxing your purchased specimens. Most dealers who purchase direct from the "catchers" do the removals as matter of coarse. However, a few conscientious ones wrap the loosened abdomen in cotton and place it in the envelope with the specimen. Females as a rule usually retain their abdomens unscathed.
So, basically you either learn to look past that "un-sightly" caveat pertaining to Morpho ownership/passion or you will likely focus on something else. There is simply nothing that most of us can do about it !
MORPHO IN ART:
If you think trying to photograph the iridescent species is tough just imagine trying to produce that look on paper. Most artwork I've ever seen simply does not convey the blue "iridescence" some species are known for. Yet, there is one old book which I know of that gives some measure of incredible "iridescent reproduction" in print. There are 3 Morpho species featured. Below, is one of those figures.
Yes, in the book titled: Butterflies and Moths by Alfred Werner/Josef Bijok (1965)+(1970) Viking Press and made in Germany there are three Morpho prints and each really appear to be "iridescent" unlike all the other prints in the book. Simply amazing... Don't know how they did it but, these prints really convey just how determined the authors were in producing a suitable likeness of each respective Morpho species.
THE FEVER:
My retired dealer friend once lamented a story of a collector he knew who had owed 3 Morpho collections in his time. He was so "smitten" with them by their powerful and mysterious attractiveness. He just could not give them up... Starting in the late 1960's he started a collection which ran thru the decade of the 1970's and on into the early 80's. A size-able monetary issue arose in his life and he really needed the money. So a willing buyer purchased his rather large collection for a pretty tidy sum and the man's money problem went away. BUT, not the desire -- not "the fever". In 6 months he was back at it again seeking out Morpho's where he could find them...
Another 12 years elapse and (you guessed it) another monetary issue arose so once again the collection went up for sale, was sold, and again no more money problem. BUT, not the desire -- not "the fever". It took this time almost a year but, the man caved in and started a 3rd collection. This one he would retain the longest for about 17 or 18 years before health problems and general concern for the collection falling into neglect prompted its sale. A measure of the pictures posted to this thread are of some of his marvelous 3rd collection holdings (taken by me).
I consequently purchased 15 of the specimens for my own collection and safekeeping. Others came by and "cherrypicked" at the collection as well and the remains were later put into Riker mounts for Ebay.
THE REAL GEMS:
Three of the real "rarities" amongst Morpho were present in the collection. They are pictured below...
Photo #1 - Morpho cypris cypris f. cyanites (bluish female) - sold for $1250.00 USD (2013)
Photo #2 - Morpho rhetenor augustinae f. semicypris (Le Moult specimen) (Orinoco Delta/Venezuela) - sold for $2100.00 USD (2013)
Photo #3 - Morpho absoloni (female times 2) *unheard of owning two in one private collection... - sold each for $1500.00 USD (2013)
So, here is my thread dedicated to those marvelous broad-winged "Goliaths" of the butterfly world and the folks who most appreciate them...