Heliconius butterflies: morphology and behavior

Heliconius

Natural History of the Heliconius Butterfly

Many consider the Heliconius butterfly among the more intelligent butterfly species. This is a result of multiple factors including their reproductive tendencies, spatial analysis capability and eating preferences. Heliconius is said to spend most of its day traveling, reproducing and 'sipping nectar' which give the species a reputation for living the good life (Millius, 1998). These ideas are explored in greater detail below.

Nutrition of the Heliconius

Many species of the genus Heliconius rely on secondary nutritious substances including the pollen of flowers for nutrition. The Heliconius butterfly in particular has an anatomically structured tongue that allows special collection of pollen (Eldredge, 1987). The butterfly uses enzymes and nectar and regurgitates these substances onto the tongue to release free amino acids in the pollen (Eldredge, 18). The butterfly then absorbs the nutrients. The amino acids formed from pollen create the building blocks for proteins which the butterfly then passes on to its tissues, helping enable biological functions (Elderedge, 1987).

Lifestyle of the Heliconius Butterfly

The heliconius butterfly typically spends much of its day "patrolling a regular route" in search of nectar an pollen sources; in an average day the butterfly may cover miles and miles of forest (Elderedge, 18). Studies suggest male Heliconius butterflies have to fight off other species for flowers they prefer for "early morning feedings" (Elderedge, 18).

Females tend to deposit eggs on passionflowers. These species place their yellow-orange eggs in very prominent places on the edges of the vine tendrils of this plant to "warn other females the plant is already taken" (Eldredge, 18). This prevents too many caterpillars from accessing the plant.

The Heliconius is one of few species of butterfly with a relatively long life (estimated at six months) that tends to take flight during the day in hunt of food but return to a "fixed site communal roost" during the evenings (Capaldi & Fahrbach, 651). During this time most Heliconius engage in social activity including sex (Millius, 1998). To return to the communal roost and food sources the Heliconius must learn the "spatial location of food items and of the central communal roost" (Capaldi & Fahrbach, 651). Because of this and other factors many believe the Heliconius to be more intelligent than other butterflies.