White Morpho
Morpho polyphemus Westwood, [1850]
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Morphini
Identification: Both upper and lower sides are shining white, with few brown markings. Underside of hindwing has a row of small eyespots.
Wing Span: Not reported.
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on host plants.
Flight: May-November in Mexico.
Caterpillar Hosts: Paullinia pinata (Sapindaceae); Inga (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Rotting fruit.
Habitat: Tropical premontane forests with a distinct dry season.
Range: Costa Rica north to Mexico. A rare stray to southeastern Arizona.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
NCGR:
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 verified sightings
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/white_morpho_01.jpg?itok=dprCJ5xV)
Observation date: Nov 29, 2013
Submitted by: pkondrashov
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 26, 2023
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/san_blas_sept_2020_22155.jpg?itok=qDEXx4G-)
Observation date: Sep 29, 2020
Submitted by: mstackhouse
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 25, 2023
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/35_white_morpho_update_luna_copy.jpg?itok=V7AtPcJn)
Observation date: Aug 10, 2007
Submitted by: redfishin
Region: Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jan 24, 2023
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/morpho_polyphemus1b.jpg?itok=bQLMTr3D)
Observation date: Jan 21, 2017
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Michoacán, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 24, 2017
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/morpho_polyphemus.jpg?itok=khrtuVQ0)
Observation date: Jan 30, 2015
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Michoacán, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 06, 2015
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/sulfur.jpg?itok=Y_noDdn4)
Observation date: Jan 19, 2010
Submitted by: W Fogleman
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 10, 2014
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Aug 19, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (D. Mitchell)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/morppoly.jpg?itok=xCrdcv-l)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sonora, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004