LIST OF CARESHEETS/SPECIES INFO: (Click on the names)

• Aglais io (peacock butterfly)
• Eryphanis sp. (Purple mort blue)
• Morpho peleides  (blue morpho)
• Vanessa itea (Yellow admiral)

Nymphalidae, also known as brush footed butterflies, is a family of butterflies with about 6000 known species.

While most insects have 6 legs, the adult Nyphalid butterfly typically only has 4 visible legs. This is because the front pair of legs has been strongly reduced although they are still present. In some species, this pair of legs now serves another function – they have been enhanced to become chemical receptors. An interesting trait – these legs are being used to smell and sense phytochemicals that play a role on host plant selection and oviposition.

They are also the “standard” butterflies of the world, including our most famous species like the Blue Morpho, Peacock butterfly, and most of our common native butterflies. The larvae are often covered with thorny spines, which are not dangerous or toxic, but does make them quite difficult to swallow for some predators.

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