Butterfly Species at Green Hills Butterfly Ranch

Belize’s largest butterfly exhibit displaying over 30 native butterfly species including the iridescent Blue Morpho butterfly.

Blue Morpho

Morpho helenor peleides

The blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from 5 - 7 inches. It will tease visitors with its stunning color in flight and are most likely to be found on rotting fruit or in darker, secluded locations when at rest.

Mexican Bluewing

Myscelia ethusa

The wingspan is about 1 - 2 inches. More than likely you will see these basking on the sun, gently opening and closing their wings. Watch your step as the Mexican Bluewing is also fond of landing on the ground.

Banded King Shoemaker

Archaeoprepona demophone

Wingspan: 4 - 4.5 inches This fast flyer butterfly spends a fair amount of its time in the canopy of our flight area however it is also very likely to spend time closer to the ground and within an easy viewing distance.

Malachite

Siproeta stelenes

Wing span is about 3 - 4.5 inches. The Malachite is a butterfly that is willing to show off for visitors, but on its own terms. Regularly seen feeding on fruits, flying high above or resting upside down on a leaf of a tree or tall bush.

Rusty-Tipped Page

Siproeta epaphus

Wingspan: 2.5- 3.5 inch. They have a rapid fluttering and gliding flight, settling frequently to bask on low foliage or bare ground. Adults drink nectar from flowers like impatiens and lantana as well as juice from rotting fruit.

Banded Peacock

Anartia fatima

Wingspan: 2 - 2.5 inches. Despite being fairly dull compared to its cousins, this butterfly is just as friendly. It is one full of energy which moves frequently from flower to flower.

Crimson Patch

Chlosyne janais

Wingspan: 1.5 - 2.5 inches. Despite its size, the crimson patch is easy to approach and observe close up. When feeding on a flower, they tend to walk around on the petals while opening and closing their wings.

Common Owl

Caligo memnon

Wingspan: 5.4 - 6 inches. On an average day, the common owl can be found in one of two places, at rest in some shade spot or feeding on fruit. These butterflies are mostly active on cloudy days or at dusk or dawn.

Magnificent Owl

Caligo atreus

Wingspan: 5.7 - 6.7 inches. These butterflies are active at dusk and dawn, and as such is unlikely to be flying about during the day thus making it hard to get a glimpse of their inside. They often rest on a piece of wood or tree trunk.

Giant Owl

Caligo eurilochus

Wingspan: 4.5 - 5.5 inches. These are another species of owl butterflies. They usually fly small distances at a time so as to give any potential predators a harder time spotting and following them. This butterfly is also most active at dusk, when there are fewer birds out hunting and when visibility is at its lowest.

Tiger Longwing

Heliconius ismenius

Wingspan of about 3-3.7 inches. The tiger longwing is a large longwing species and one that is not afraid to display itself. Flying at or above eye level, they will feed in the open as well as rest.

Isabella's Longwing

Eueides isabella

Wingspan of about 3 - 3.5 inches. Isabella's longwing is a bit more timid than other butterflies and has similar patterns as the tiger longwing. Fond of common nectars sources such as pentas, they are much easier to spot.

Golden Longwing

Heliconius hecale

Wingspan: 3 - 4 inch. This specie is unafraid to be out in the open, whether feeding, basking, resting or courting. They enjoy feeding at or above eye-level sight.

Small Postman

Heliconius erato

Wingspan: 2 - 3 inches A shy butterfly so keep an eye out for these butterflies in shadier locations where they like to rest.

Zebra Longwing

Heliconius charithonia

Wingspan: 3 - 3.7 inch A common butterfly which you can find at home. They enjoy venturing out into the open and sunny locations to feed.

Red Rim

Biblis hyperia

Wingspan: 2 - 3 inches This species is very much on the skittish side and in all circumstances is difficult to approach. While at rest it is common to see them gently opening and closing their wings.

Ruby-spotted Swallowtail

Papilio anchisiades

Wingspan: 4 - 4.5 inch This swallowtail butterfly strongly prefers to rest with its wings open and will usually close them when temperatures get cool. They enjoy sunny spots to find flowers and feed on their nectars.

Grecian Shoemaker

Catonephele numilia

Wingspan: 2.5 - 3 inch. When not fully at rest, it displays its wings regularly and is often easy to spot. When not active, the rely on its camouflaged underside on a tree trunk or plant foliage.

Glasswing

Greta oto

Wingspan of about 2 - 2.4 inches. The Glasswing is a dainty species of butterfly that is a joy and a marvel to behold. The tricky part is getting to marvel at one. Unless they have found a flower to enjoy, they will confine themselves to darker locations and hide among plant foliage.

Monarch

Danaus plexippus

The Monarch is a not picky when it comes to the kinds of flowers it prefers. Their flight is similar to it's cousin's the plain tiger and queen, in that the monarch glides about lazily, beating its wings a few times in between.

Queen

Danaus gilippus

Wingspan: 3 - 3.8 inches. The queen is easily approachable and seems to like a wide variety of flowers. They briefly hold their wings open while feeding.

Variable Cracker

Hamadryas feronia

Wingspan: 2.5 - 3.5 inch. They get their odd name from the sound that males make as they chase away other males from their territory. They can be hard to approach unless they are feeding.

Mosaic

Colubura dirce

Wingspan: 2.75 - 3 inches The Mosaic takes its privacy very seriously, Usually hides on tree trunks in shaded places. They usually rest with their heads pointing to the ground in hopes that the odd shape of its wings will confuse predators.