One of the "Mort Bleu" species of butterflies which are large with iridescent mauve or purple-blue wings on the topside; the "Owl" Butterfly is
another ("the Cocoa Mort Bleu"). The Eryphanis (Purple Mort Bleu) species of butterflies are superficially similar to the
Caligo (Owl) species. They are sometimes also called "Owls."
The map-like pattern and "eye-spots" on the closed wings are variable. There are always two small hearts on the trailing edge of the forewing.
The Purple Mort Bleu is a little smaller than the Owl Butterfly.
Like the Owl, the Purple Mort Bleu rarely opens its wings at rest. This one with a torn wing shows the beautiful topside and how the
colour varies with the light from blue to purple.
The chrysalis is like a pea pod.