Finally Open - _TNY_0600 (In Explore 15/2 2025)
The one-spot prepona (Archaeoprepona demophon), also known as the banded king shoemaker, is a fairly common species at the Haga Ocean butterfly house in Solna, Sweden. But unlike just about all the other times I've ssen it, this time (February 13th of 2024), I found one resting with its wings open!
Typically, they keep their wings closed and might just do a quick flap to give a glimpse at the spectacular blue on the dorsal side so having one in good light at a comfortable height for quite some time was a real treat.
At first, this species might look a lot like the blue-banded morpho (Morpho achilles), but the blue on this one is significantly more intense and looks very bright even when the butterfly is in the shadows.
For a photo of what it normally looks like - ie with its wings closed, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52550525982/
Finally Open - _TNY_0600 (In Explore 15/2 2025)
The one-spot prepona (Archaeoprepona demophon), also known as the banded king shoemaker, is a fairly common species at the Haga Ocean butterfly house in Solna, Sweden. But unlike just about all the other times I've ssen it, this time (February 13th of 2024), I found one resting with its wings open!
Typically, they keep their wings closed and might just do a quick flap to give a glimpse at the spectacular blue on the dorsal side so having one in good light at a comfortable height for quite some time was a real treat.
At first, this species might look a lot like the blue-banded morpho (Morpho achilles), but the blue on this one is significantly more intense and looks very bright even when the butterfly is in the shadows.
For a photo of what it normally looks like - ie with its wings closed, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52550525982/