Caligo atreus (yellow-edged giant owl) inhabits humid forests from Mexico through Central America to western South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Adults can span about five and one-half to six inches across the wings. The closed hindwing displays a large circular eyespot bordered by concentric rings, while the upper surface combines dark brown with blue-violet areas and a yellow band along the hindwing margin.

Adults fly most actively in dim light near dawn and dusk and usually remain still in shaded vegetation during brighter hours. They feed on fermenting fruit and plant sap. Females place eggs on plants used by the larvae, which include bananas and heliconias; the large caterpillars rest along leaf midribs and may feed in groups when young. The species is also maintained in tropical butterfly houses, where its size and predictable fruit-feeding behavior make it readily observable. Photographed in Colombia.