The butterfly Morpho epistrophus argentinus is known as the Argentinian flag butterfly for its blue and white coloration, similar to the colors of the national flag.
Fluttering its wings, it displays the colors that characterize the Argentine homeland since its independence.
Habitat of the Argentinian flag butterfly
The Argentinian flag butterfly inhabits jungle regions in central-eastern South America. This explains its presence in the riparian forests and talares of the Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, and Corrientes provinces in Argentina. There are also records of the species in Misiones and Chaco, as well as in Uruguay and southern Brazil.
An important population currently resides in the reserve of the large dry lagoon, Madariaga district, Buenos Aires Province, due to the presence of an ancient coronillo forest, a tree on which the species feeds during its caterpillar stage.
Get to know the Argentinian flag butterfly
Characteristics of the Argentinian flag butterfly
- Color: White and blue with black edges and some round spots on the hind wings.
- Size: Its open wings can measure between 70 and 105 millimeters in wingspan.
- Flight: Erratic, similar to when a small piece of paper is thrown in the wind.
- Caterpillars: They are red with a sting and develop on the leaves of the coronillo, ingá, pink plumerillo, and azota caballos trees.
- Vulnerable: Endangered due to habitat loss, the introduction of invasive exotic species, and predation by deer and collectors.
- Natural Monument: Declared a Natural Monument in the Punta Indio and Magdalena districts, Buenos Aires Province.
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