Owl butterflies are a tropical species known for the eyespots on their undersides that look like Owl eyes when the wings are open. The larva is quite unique because of its long length and strange Triceratops-like spiked head. They feed on banana plants and are considered a pest in some banana-producing countries. The pupa is also quite distinct and very different than the caterpillar.
Click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger picture.
|
To the left are some 2nd and 3rd instar caligo caterpillars feeding on a banana leaf. In banana producing countries these caterpillars are considered pests as they eat volumes of leaves and grow to be 5-6 inches in length. | |
|
This is a picture of the caterpillar just before pupating. | |
|
We caught this guy in the process of pupating. The yellow color of the pupa stands in stark contrast with the drab brown of the caterpillar. | |
|
The pupa is striking in terms of its coloration, shape and contrast with the long, thin caterpillar that makes it. | 
|
| This is the pupa just before emerging. Note the darker wings. If you look closely, you can see stripes through the pupa skin. | 
|
|
| Perhaps the most interesting part of the butterfly is the back side of the wing. The purple line in the picture on the left is part of the object the butterfly had landed on, which just happens to be a purple spider we use for Halloween decoration. It's difficult to see, but in the picture on the right, the butterfly is feeding on a cotton swab with a honey-water solution. It had landed on the ceiling, so we just taped the cotton next to him and he began feeding. They will also readily feed on fruit such as banana or papaya. | ||
|
|
|
|
The inside wings of the Owl butterfly varies across the different species. This one has a nice purple-black color to it. Others are more tan in color. | |