About This Animal
SIZE: 6 ½ inch wingspan
RANGE: Central and South America
HABITAT: Rainforest and secondary forest
DIET: Juice from rotting fruit
ON EXHIBIT: The Butterfly Garden in Ocean Journey
This butterfly gets its common name from the large eyespots on the hind wing. These spots are used to startle predators.
Female tawny owl butterflies lay groups of pinkish eggs on the undersides of banana tree leaves and other vegetation, such as plantains, parrot's flowers, and prayer plants. Although a significant portion of the natural habitat of the tawny owl butterfly has been destroyed throughout the tropical Americas, it has been replaced in some areas with banana and plantain plantations.