Morpho menelaus
| Menelaus blue morpho | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Morpho |
| Species: | M. menelaus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Morpho menelaus | |
The Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is one of 30 species of butterfly in the subfamily Morphinae. Its wingspan is about 12 cm (4.7 in), and its dorsal forewings and hindwings are a bright, iridescent blue with black edges, while the ventral surfaces are brown. Its iridescent wings are an area of interest in research due to their unique nanostructure. Due to its characteristic blue color, Morpho menelaus is considered valuable among collectors and was widely hunted in the 20th century.