[Photographs Copyright i p h o t o g r a f 2008 - All rights reserved.]

A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 described species of the genus Morpho.
They are neotropical butterflies found mostly in South america as well as Mexico and Central America.
Morphos range in wingspan from the 7.5 cm (3 inch) Morpho rhodopteron
to the imposing 20 cm (8 inch) Sunset Morpho, Morpho hecuba.

The name Morpho (meaning changed or modified), is also an epithet of Aphrodite and Venus.

  Happiness is like a butterfly
which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp,
but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne