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The Flame - _TNY_6030

The Julia butterfly (Dryas iulia), also known as the Julia heliconian, the flame, or flambeau, is a popular species to keep in butterfly houses. Not only is it attractive and active dutring the day, but also a quite long-lived species by butterfly standards.

 

The caterpillar feeds on Passiflora leaves and have black spikes on their body which can cause a rash in humans if touched.

 

This is an American species, found as far south as Brazil, but have also been found as far north as Nebraska.

 

From what I gather, the Julia has established a population in Thailand and Malaysia (and frequently seen as far south as Singapore) due to a butterfly house in Phuket Thailand having released butterflies during Bhuddist ceremonies and weddings and the butterflies subsequently making a home for themselves in the wild.

 

This particular one was found on a visit to the Haga Ocean butterfly house in Solna, Sweden.

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Uploaded on March 17, 2022
Taken on March 3, 2022