Variable Cracker Butterfly Hamadryas feronia

Cracker Butterflies are named after the cracking noise produced by the wings of the male in territorial, courtship and threat displays. They feed on rotting fruit, tree sap and dung instead of nectar.

Variable Cracker Butterfly
Variable Cracker
The Variable Cracker Butterfly is native to southern USA through to northern South America. It is generally blue-grey on mid brown but the blues/greys fade and, as its name indicates, the colours and patterns vary. Its cryptic patterns give camouflage. Shown above and immediately below is the Central American subspecies Hamadryas feronia farinulenta taken by Alexandra Makhnina in Mexico.
Variable Cracker
Variable Cracker
Variable Cracker
The underside is brown with white or light fawn, similar to the underside of the Grey and some other Crackers. Here it is drinking tree sap by inserting its long tongue into a hole in the bark.