Caligo memnon

Giant Owl
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Tribe: Brassolini
Genus: Caligo
Species: C. memnon
Binomial name
Caligo memnon
(C. & R. Felder, [1867])
Synonyms
  • Pavonia telamonius C. & R. Felder, 1862
  • Caligo telamonius
  • Caligo telamonius memnon

The Giant Owl (Caligo memnon) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is also known as the Pale Owl butterfly. The species can be found in the rainforests and secondary forests of Mexico down to the Amazon rainforest.[1]

The wingspan is usually from 115 to 130 mm, but can reach 150 mm.

The larvae feed on Musa and Heliconia species and can be a pest for banana cultivation. Adults feed on juices of rotting fruit.

Taxonomy

Considered a subspecies of Caligo telamonius (C. & R. Felder, 1862).[1]

Gallery

References

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