Rhetenor Blue Morpho vs White-letter Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rhetenor Blue Morpho White-letter Hairstreak
Scientific Name Morpho rhetenor Satyrium w-album
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 120-140 mm wingspan Wingspan 26-30mm
Habitat Forests Hedgerows
Diet Sap Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname) Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Rhetenor Blue Morpho

A strikingly vivid Morpho species known for its intensely saturated metallic blue coloring, considered by many to be the most brilliant of all Morpho species. The underwings are plain brown, lacking the prominent eyespots of related species. Males are frequently seen gliding along river corridors in lowland rainforests.

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Did You Know?

Its wings reflect nearly 70% of blue light, making it one of the most reflective biological surfaces known.

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.