Aurora Morpho vs Feathered Thorn

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Aurora Morpho Feathered Thorn
Scientific Name Morpho aurora Colotois pennaria
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Geometridae
Size 80-100 mm wingspan 40-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions South America (Peru, Bolivia) Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Aurora Morpho

A relatively small Morpho butterfly with a distinctive reddish-orange band across its dark brown wings, quite unlike the blue of most relatives. The undersides feature complex brown and ochre patterns with small eyespots. It inhabits montane forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few Morpho species that lacks blue coloration entirely, instead displaying warm orange and brown tones.

Feathered Thorn

An autumn-flying moth with warm orange-brown wings and males bearing dramatically feathered antennae. It flies late in the year when few other moths are active.

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Did You Know?

Males use their enormous feathered antennae to detect female pheromones on cold autumn nights.