Passion butterfly - Callithea leprieuri

Callithea leprieuri, also known as the Blue-green Passion butterfly or Leprieur's Passion butterfly, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae and the subfamily Biblidinae. Here is some information about this butterfly:

Description:
The Callithea leprieuri is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50 to 60 millimeters. The wings have a striking coloration dominated by blue-green tones. The forewings are slightly serrated at the edges and the hindwings often have a wavy outline.

Characteristics:
The upper side of the wings is a bright blue-green colour and often has black spots or lines. The underside of the wings is paler and shows a similar pattern. The wings have a transparent quality that gives them a special appearance.

Habitat and distribution:
Callithea leprieuri is native to various parts of Latin America, including countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. The butterfly mainly inhabits forests, forest edges and other areas with abundant plants of the Passiflora family, which serve as caterpillar host plants.

Way of life:
The caterpillars of Callithea leprieuri feed on the leaves of passionflower plants, particularly plants of the genus "Passiflora". These plants often contain toxic chemicals that are absorbed by the caterpillars and make them inedible to many predators. The striking coloring of the moths probably serves as a warning signal of their toxicity.

Protection status:
Due to their striking coloration and association with poisonous plants, the butterflies often have a certain degree of protection from predators. However, habitat loss and environmental changes could also pose a threat to Callithea leprieuri populations.