Nature Field Guide
Owl Butterfly
- Spanish name
- Mariposa búho
- Scientific name
- Caligo telamonius
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “Let's look closely at the owl butterfly!”
Tati: “We can compare its shape and markings without touching it.”
Species overview
About the Owl Butterfly
The underside bears large eye spots. Look at the wing pattern and shape together.
Identification
Key Features of the Owl Butterfly
Large brown wings
rounded eye spot on underside
broad wing shape
Habitat & range
Forest paths, edges and nearby vegetation in Guanacaste. Local habitat and abundance vary.
Local observations
Costa Rican references are linked below. Guanacaste is the documented regional starting point; these tags are not a complete national range map.
When to observe
Look during suitable weather. Activity and visibility vary by locality and species.
Conservation & care
Observe without collecting, handling or disturbing insects or nests. Stay on permitted paths. Leave caterpillars and their food plants in place.
Observation activity
Record the date, location and two visible clues. Compare your observation with a verified photograph before naming a species.