Zebra Heliconian - Heliconius charithonia (click for info)
This is the beautiful Zebra Heliconian - Heliconius charithonia - also known as the Zebra Longwing. This boldly striped black (or brown) and white butterfly is distributed across South and Central America frequenting tropical moist forests, edges of fields and gardens where the adult butterflies are unusual in feeding on pollen as well as on nectar. The pollen enables them to synthesize cyanide which make their bodies toxic to potential predators. Their bold wing pattern serves as camouflage in twiggy foliage as well as warning off predators whilst the adults roost communally at night in groups of up to 60, again, for safety from predators. Caterpillars feed on various species of passionflower, evading the plants' defensive hairs by biting them off or laying silk mats over them. Although it is the state butterfly of Florida, this one was seen by the side of a track near our hotel in Dominican Republic where they seem to be plentiful.
This Picture is fully © Copyrighted.
None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.
Zebra Heliconian - Heliconius charithonia (click for info)
This is the beautiful Zebra Heliconian - Heliconius charithonia - also known as the Zebra Longwing. This boldly striped black (or brown) and white butterfly is distributed across South and Central America frequenting tropical moist forests, edges of fields and gardens where the adult butterflies are unusual in feeding on pollen as well as on nectar. The pollen enables them to synthesize cyanide which make their bodies toxic to potential predators. Their bold wing pattern serves as camouflage in twiggy foliage as well as warning off predators whilst the adults roost communally at night in groups of up to 60, again, for safety from predators. Caterpillars feed on various species of passionflower, evading the plants' defensive hairs by biting them off or laying silk mats over them. Although it is the state butterfly of Florida, this one was seen by the side of a track near our hotel in Dominican Republic where they seem to be plentiful.
This Picture is fully © Copyrighted.
None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.