The owl butterfly's 20 species (caligo) are known for their huge eyespots, which resemble owls' eyes. Native to Central and South America, the dark owl eyes on its wings act as camouflage, warding off predators by confusing them. With a wingspan of up to 20 centimetres, the species is the largest butterfly in the Americas and are found in the rainforests and secondary forests of Mexico, Central and South America. The Latin name may possibly refer to their active periods; caligo means darkness.
