Morpho sulkowskyi is a Tropical Andescloud forest specialist (above 800 to 1,500 meters as high as 3500 meters). Morpho sulkowskyi and Morpho lympharis are the sole Morphos occupying this habitat.
Taxonomy
Morpho sulkowskyi and Morpho lympharis may be conspecific. There are several subspecies and many forms have been described.
Iridescent colors of Morpho sulkowskyi are caused by the specific nanostructures on its wings (SEM images at the bottom).[1]
The color of a Morpho sulkowskyi is white with a holographic shine to them.
Both the presence of fluorescent pigments in their wings and the nanostructure of their wings are responsible for the iridescent fluorescence of M. sulkowskyi. The major blue fluorescent pigment contributing to the fluorescence of M. sulkowskyi was found to be L-erythro biopterin, along with minor components of pterin and isoxanthopterin.[2]
^Tabata, H.; Hasegawa, T.; Nakagoshi, M.; Takikawa, S.; Tsusue, M. (1996). "Occurrence of biopterin in the wings of Morpho butterflies". Experientia. 52: 85–87. doi:10.1007/BF01922422. S2CID26881765.
Further reading
Le Moult (E.) & Réal (P.), 1962–1963. Les Morpho d'Amérique du Sud et Centrale, Editions du cabinet entomologique E. Le Moult, Paris.
Paul Smart, 1976 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World in Color. London, Salamander: Encyclopedie des papillons. Lausanne, Elsevier Sequoia (French language edition) ISBN9780948427046ISBN0600313816 page 234 fig.1 (Brazil) and page 235 fig. 9 as ockendeni (Peru).
