Morpho uraneis is a Neotropical butterfly. It is found in Brazil (Amazonas, Pará) and Ecuador.

Morpho uraneis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Morpho
Species:
M. uraneis
Binomial name
Morpho uraneis
Bates, 1865
Synonyms
  • Morpho (Cytheritis) f. neptunus Le Moult & Réal, 1962
  • Morpho (Cytheritis) uraneis zodiaca Le Moult & Réal, 1962
  • Morpho (Cytheritis) uraneis zodiaca f. macas Le Moult & Réal, 1962
  • Morpho (Cytheritis) uraneis biedermanni Le Moult & Réal, 1962
  • Morpho (Cytheritis) uraneis biedermanni f. carbonaria Le Moult & Réal, 1962

Description

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Morpho uraneis is a large butterfly. The forewings have a concave outer edge. The upperside is dark iridescent blue, except for this it is very similar to Morpho eugenia and it has been placed as Morpho eugenia subspecies uraneis.

In 1913, Hans Fruhstorfer wrote: "M. uraneis Bates is an extraordinarily rare species; in addition to the type only three examples seem to be known, which were collected by Dr. Hahnel at Iquitos and Pebas. According to Staudinger uraneis has the upper surface blue with brilliant mother-of-pearl gloss and is larger and broader-winged. Its flight is more regular and not so rapid as that of adonis."[1]

References

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  1. ^ Fruhstorfer, H., 1913. Family: Morphidae. In A. Seitz (editor), Macrolepidoptera of the world, vol. 5: 333–356. Stuttgart: Alfred Kernen.
  • Le Moult (E.) & Réal (P.), 1962-1963. Les Morpho d'Amérique du Sud et Centrale, Editions du cabinet entomologique E. Le Moult, Paris.
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