Owl Butterfly

This Owl Butterfly of the genus Caligo is one of several species known for its huge eyespots which resemble owls’ eyes. They are found in the rainforests and secondary forests of Mexico, Central, and South America.

Owl butterflies are very large, 65–200 mm and fly only a few metres at a time, so avian predators have little difficulty in following them to their settling place. However, the butterflies preferentially fly at dusk when few avian predators are around. The scientific name may possibly refer to their active periods; caligo means darkness.

The species in Trinidad is Caligo illionensis also known as Cocoa Mort Bleu locally.

The butterfly was photographed in dark and deep rain forest hand held at 1/80th second, f5.6 and ISO 12,800.

Reference: Wikipedia; Asa Wright Centre