My sampling of Morpho's...

[trehopr1]

Well, we all know these very well indeed.

Some of us take a passionate interest in these whilst
others (like me) are content with just a "sampling" of
what can be had out there. Still and yet others, just
never "get the fever" to embrace these stunning creatures
as an interest -- instead focusing on other butterflies, moths,
or insects altogether.

My first ever Morpho specimen was your basic M. aega (male)
which arrived to me (papered) at about the age of 10. It is
probably my earliest recollection of finally having an "exotic"
butterfly for my collection.

Its shimmering beauty captivated me in such a way that I
have always had an unwavering appreciation for their diverse
species and subspecies.

This endlessly popular group of butterflies maintains a "cult"
status even to this day and a fair few of the harder to get species,
subspecies, and natural occurring aberrations are hotly contested
for ownership rights.

Now, even chemically-induced bred specimens are beginning to show up
on the market with some very interesting appearances.

My pleasure (as I have said) in these is a simple one in that I'm content just having
a "smattering" of them for viewing pleasure.

So here, is one of my holdings:

[livingplanet3]

Very nice! I see you have a M. theseus juturna - that's a favorite of mine; very unique looking butterfly. A specimen of M. absoloni, too. Are the largest two specimens M. cisseis gahua?

[trehopr1]

I'll have to look at the label on the "bluer" one at
the top of the 1st column. It may have said phanodemus ?

Second one is M. cisseis gahua.

[livingplanet3]

To my knowledge, the names cisseis and phanodemus are actually synonyms. I only refer to the bright blue form of cisseis as M. cisseis cisseis, but that's just my personal preference.  Incidentally, cisseis is sometimes considered to be a ssp. of hecuba.

[trehopr1]

Over the last 10 years or so I have had opportunity to both
see and "cherrypick" from 2 Morpho collections which were being
parted out for sales.

Both previous owners had them many years...however, advanced age
and some health issues prompted their sale.

The first one I looked over was in 2009 and it was all contained
in riker mounts which had always been stacked flat in a cabinet
(out of the light). It had been well maintained and cared for.

The second collection would show up in 2012 and was a pinned collection.
It too was marvelous in its holdings...

My point to all this talk is that I could not possibly afford
ALL of the prizes which lay before me. I afforded what I could
but, I took pictures of some of the gems I could only dream about.

So, without further delay I present some of my "misses" ....


Morpho amathonte sararea (female)


Morpho theseus aquarius (female)


Morpho adonis (female)


Morpho absoloni (females)


Morpho augustinae semicypris (male)

The given names are what I saw on the labels. Hope they are still
up to date. 

Enjoy...

[livingplanet3]

It's a bit difficult to choose which Morpho species are my absolute favorites, but M. cypris, M. rhetenor helena, M. hecuba obidona and M. cisseis cisseis are definitely at the top of the list.