Morphotaenaris (Amathusiinae)

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Trehopr1
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Morphotaenaris (Amathusiinae)

Post by Trehopr1 »

This small genus of butterflies is only occasionally
encountered in most private collections. A similar
and closely related (larger) genus named Taenaris has
a plethora of smaller eyespot-bearing species of
remarkable beauty.

The name Morpho (from the greek) means "the Shapely,
the Beautiful" and looking upon species of this genus
one can easily see why the term was applied in the
naming of this genus. It could also be said that much like
the gorgeous Morpho butterflies of Central/South America;
these butterflies possess a similar small body to large wing
surface area which makes for great lift and soaring capabilities.

Below, I show my (female) specimen of:
Morphotaenaris schoenbergi kenricki

This should be a species which most "dyed in the wool"
butterfly collectors should be familiar with.

Image

Also, of particular note is how long and filamentous
the antennae are of these butterflies.

However, below I offer yet another far lesser known and
encountered species from my collection. This large (female)
specimen was acquired by me in the early 1990's and was
seemingly only around a short time.

It measures fully 5(1/2) inches wingtip to wingtip.

Image

Additionally, I present the (male) of the same species from
my collection acquired during the same time period. At 5 inches
(tip to tip) it is also quite impressive in its snow-white overall
appearance.

Image
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daveuk
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Wales

Re: Morphotaenaris (Amathusiinae)

Post by daveuk »

Lovely specimens trehopr. In my experience these can be prone to staining at the relaxing stage. I have the all white subspecies from PNG but your specimens are in another league.
Have now taken photos of my specimens & attached.
Attachments
Screenshot_20221104-174944_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20221104-174944_Gallery.jpg (414.03 KiB) Viewed 174 times
Screenshot_20221104-174936_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20221104-174936_Gallery.jpg (350.16 KiB) Viewed 174 times
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