Heliconius doris

Postman Butterfly

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Nymphalidae
• Genus: Heliconius
• Species: doris

Common Names by Region:

• English: Postman Butterfly
• Spanish: Mariposa Cartero
• Portuguese: Borboleta Carteiro

Description: The Heliconius doris, commonly known as the Postman butterfly, exhibits vibrant coloration. Its wings feature a striking combination of bright orange-red hues with bold black stripes, reminiscent of a traditional postal uniform. This coloration serves as a warning signal to predators, indicating its unpalatability.

Known Range: The Postman butterfly is primarily found in Central and South America, inhabiting various tropical and subtropical regions within these areas.

Diet: As caterpillars, Heliconius doris feed primarily on specific host plants within the Passifloraceae family, such as passionflowers (Passiflora spp.). As adults, they primarily feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants.

Breeding: Postman butterflies engage in courtship rituals, which may involve aerial displays or pheromone release to attract mates. Females lay their eggs on host plants, typically choosing tender leaves or stems suitable for larval development.

Lifecycle:

1. Egg Stage: Females lay eggs on host plants, typically on or near tender leaves or stems.
2. Larval Stage (Caterpillar): Upon hatching, larvae feed voraciously on host plant foliage, undergoing several molts as they grow.
3. Pupal Stage (Chrysalis): Caterpillars undergo metamorphosis within a protective chrysalis, attached to a suitable substrate.
4. Adult Stage (Butterfly): Upon emerging from the chrysalis, adult butterflies are fully developed and begin their search for food, mates, and suitable habitat.