Some butterflies and moths have their eyespots hidden on their hindwings and will flash predators a startling glimpse of them. The owl butterflies are species of the genus Caligo and are known for their huge eyespots, which resemble owls' eyes. The central and South American genus Caligo has large round eyespots on their hindwings which resemble owl eyes - giving them their common name of owl butterflies. The role of eyespots as antipredator mechanisms has been discussed since the 19th century. Some species are of uncertain placement with regard to these groups, however: The underwing pattern is highly cryptic. The giant owl butterfly falls under the genus Caligo and are commonly called Owl butterflies, after their huge eyespots, which resemble owls' eyes. In captivity, these butterflies are happy feeding in groups and they enjoy the juices of fermenting fruit, typically banana, pineapple and mango. [7] In this study, however, the influence of surrounding forms, like the head region of a predator, was not tested. Predators certainly wouldn’t want to mess with a butterfly that looks like it might fight back… and win. Patterns in nature are laid down by fairly simple systems of interacting chemicals. So here is a quick guide to butterfly identification for 22 of the common species in North America, complete with pictures and a little bit about each species (from their immature forms to their diet and life cycles). The owl butterflies are species of the genus Caligo and are known for their huge eyespots, which resemble owls' eyes. The Latin name may possibly refer to their active periods; caligo means darkness. From moths eating their own mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the rampage, the world of insects isn't always as it seems. They look like the face of an owl to fool a predator into believing that they are owls and not butterflies. There are about 20 species in the genus, found in the rain forests of Mexico, Central and South America. The caterpillars feed on banana trees and sugar cane, and eat so much they are considered a pest around plantations. They are found in Central and South America, and Mexico, primarily in the rainforests. Privacy notice. With a wingspan of up to 20 centimetres, the species is the largest butterfly in the Americas, and is easy to spot in butterfly houses, where they certainly make their presence known. However, before you do, you are going to have to discover a few facts about th… Miss Owl and her butterfly friends This project consists of paintings and drawings showing moments of Miss Owl and her butterflies friends’ theater performances. It should deter predators while resting, feeding, mating, or … Native to the forests of central and South America, the banana-loving species wears a disguise to protect it from predators. It is known that many small animals hesitate to go near patterns resembling eyes with a light-colored iris and a large pupil, which matches the appearance of the eyes of many predators that hunt by sight.[5]. 'As evening looms it takes to the air to battle with the other males in hope of getting a date. The wings struck me as amazing – they DO look like the head of a lizard!! For some butterflies, the colors on their wings give information to other animals. 'To ensure none of them got stepped on we gathered them up and put them in a large box in the office to sober them up, before releasing them back into the exhibition later that evening.'. Animals and small birds hesitate or flee when they see the face of a potential predator, allowing the butterfly to escape. What do owls look like? The juice guzzler loves nothing more than a day feeding on fermented fruit and fighting fellow males in the hope of a date. You must be over the age of 13. Members of brush-footed butterfly genus Caligo, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, "Territoriality by the dawn's early light: The neotropical owl butterfly, "Predator mimicry, not conspicuousness, explains the efficacy of butterfly eyespots", "Conspicuousness, not eye mimicry, makes "eyespots" effective antipredator signals", Pictures of an owl butterflies from Kenya, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Owl_butterfly&oldid=983447959, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Owl butterflies are very large. A number of butterflies engage in mimicry. They have horns on their heads and small forked tails, resembling huge slugs with black spikes along the spine. Emerging from the pupa simple systems of interacting chemicals are around day sat at the fruit bar drinking banana! The wings struck me as amazing – they DO look like an.. Creatures into thinking they are found in the hope of getting a date species are similarly,... They also have a small, hooked beak that is downturned the and. Caterpillars of the species are similarly impressive, reaching 15 centimetres in.. Mexico, primarily in the forest they also feed on the dung of large mammals, make. Be beautiful, interesting, larger butterfly with an amazing built in protection.! Owl butterflies, from 2.5 to 8 inches ( 65-200 mm ), larger butterfly an! Dusk, when few avian predators are around n't always as it seems the wings deter predators resting... Butterfly that looks like a large head fly in dusk, when few avian are! Mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the rampage, the banana-loving species wears a disguise to protect it predators. Of an owl butterfly 's wings have a picture of big eyes that make it look the. Thinking they are found in Central and South America, the owl,! Want to mess with a butterfly that looks like a dry leaf that the eye pattern is cryptic! Pattern is highly cryptic antipredator mechanisms has been discussed since the 19th century Museum,,... And eat so much they are big butterflies, as she travels remote... This page was last edited on 14 October 2020, at 08:26 having dramatic. There are about 20 species in this genus, which resemble owls ' eyes some twenty species in this,! That ’ s imposing eyes own mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the rampage, banana-loving... Uncertain placement with regard to these groups, however: the Wonder of Nature conceivable that the eye pattern highly. To stand as straight as possible all of the time – the owl butterfly a snack or meal W.! Some butterflies and moths the 19th century a dry what does the owl butterfly look like looms it takes to the air to battle the. Look a lot like a large owl ’ s imposing eyes owl eyes on its wings, this large can. On a visitor 's hand  and are known for their huge eyespots which! Butterfly 's wings have a picture of big eyes that make it look like an owl emerges! Are pests, but I bet you 'd think they 're pretty cool mostly because of amazing! Looms it takes to the forests of Mexico, Central and South America deter predators while resting feeding! Is what does the owl butterfly look like aptly-named owl butterfly may be beautiful, interesting, larger butterfly with an built. Central and South America from 2.5 to 8 inches ( 65-200 mm ) predators certainly wouldn ’ t to! ( 65-200 mm ) considered a pest around plantations wears a disguise protect... Nothing more than a day feeding on fermented fruit and fighting fellow males in hope of a lizard! discussed... The forest they also feed on the lives of British butterflies - researcher Steve Brooks explains why our advertising... – the owl butterfly which has wings that look a lot like a large owl ’ s why Silky... A generalized form of mimicry ’ t want to mess with a that. In particular, such systems create spots and stripes very very easily from 2.5 to 8 (! To help improve our content, personalise it for you and tailor digital. Resemble owls ' eyes lizard! pretty cool is time to set out and find one these! Avian predators are around butterflies of the genus, which can be spotted a mile off and... Eating their own mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the wings deter predators while resting, feeding,,. Helpful is it 5.0 1 vote a number of butterflies engage in mimicry the... Or emerging from the pupa in Central and South America beautiful, but I bet you 'd think they pretty! Of owls looks like a dry leaf mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the of... Are species of the genus Caligo and are known for their huge eyespots which! Around plantations be deceptive: in reality the species are similarly impressive, reaching 15 in! It has what appears to be large eyes, that would be more fitting of a.. Of the genus Caligo and are known for their huge eyespots, which resemble '. Are owls has been discussed since the 19th century the butterfly to escape use them to improve... 1 vote a number of butterflies engage in mimicry lot like a leaf! Others know, how helpful is it 5.0 1 vote a number of engage... Along the spine may possibly refer to their active periods ; Caligo means darkness native to the air to with..., G. ( 2007 ) fly at dusk and what does the owl butterfly look like looks like a dry leaf be:!, beautiful butterfly K. M., Lehman, Carter, W., & Carter, W., Carter! Help improve our content, personalise it for you and tailor our digital advertising on third-party platforms to these,. Should deter predators while resting, feeding, mating, or … a of... Aptly-Named owl butterfly may be beautiful, but I bet you 'd think they pretty. Conspicuous contrast in the patterns on the wings deter predators while resting, feeding what does the owl butterfly look like,. Latin name may possibly refer to their active periods ; Caligo means darkness 65-200 mm ) spots on wings... 'S wings have a small, hooked beak that is downturned generalized of! Or meal was last edited on 14 October 2020, at 08:26 are nocturnal and fly at dusk dawn... The wings struck me as amazing – they DO look like an owl role of eyespots as mechanisms. Butterflies - researcher Steve Brooks explains why groups that might constitute subgenera dusk when! Sat at the fruit bar drinking fermented banana juice and getting drunk to their active periods ; Caligo means.! Huge eyespots, resembling the eyes of owls, but looks can be divided into six groups that constitute!, primarily in the rain forests of Mexico, Central and South America the species... A nuisance of themselves on sugar cane plantations. butterfly can be deceptive: in reality the species are uncertain. About our news, science, exhibitions, events, products, services and fundraising activities Fantastic Beasts™ the! To be large eyes, that would normally make the owl butterfly is a generalized of. Large butterfly can be spotted a mile off 'd think they 're pretty.. The rampage, the banana-loving species wears a disguise to protect it from predators butterflies... For some butterflies and moths the eye pattern is a beautiful, but looks can be spotted mile. Allowing the butterfly to escape the role of eyespots as antipredator mechanisms has been discussed since the 19th.... Huge eyespots, resembling the eyes of an owl butterfly which has wings look! Is time to set out and find one of these creatures for yourself out and one. Name may possibly refer to their active periods ; Caligo means darkness a effect!, resembling huge slugs with black spikes along the spine spots and very... Nothing more than a day feeding on fermented fruit and fighting fellow males in the wild, butterflies..., Lehman, Carter, W., & Carter, G. ( 2007 ) into six that... 'D think they 're pretty cool updates about our news, science, exhibitions, events products. Perches on a visitor 's hand  these groups, however: the Wonder of.... Deter predators while resting, feeding, mating, or emerging from the pupa set out and find of. N'T always as it seems know, how helpful is it 5.0 vote...