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| Split-banded or Heliconia/Linnean Owlet Butterfly In My House, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Split-banded or Heliconia/Linnean Owlet Butterfly In My House, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica Sorry for out-of-focus image, but needed for identification, top side |
Yes, the bottom side (wings folded) is similar to Owl Butterfly but the top side is different! The bottom is a fair match for “Split-banded Owlet” but the top seems to be closer to the “Heliconian or Linnean Owlet” meaning that I am not sure! Sorry top is not in focus but seldom opened and only for brief second rapidly. In both shots he is on my kitchen window screen.
See also MY BUTTERFLY PHOTO GALLERY for many more species of butterflies, 54 now!
For identification I am now primarily using the book A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico and Central America. It has more photos and species included than any book I have found yet for this region and I double check on the internet. The National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to Butterflies is the best for North American butterflies but does not always include all in Central America such as this one which is close on the bottom side to one of the “Pearly Eyes” but not a match. The only Costa Rica book on butterflies is woefully lacking in species.