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Biology »

[27 Jul 2010 | No Comment | 160 views]

Chris,
Can  you add this to the publication list, please:
2010. Salcedo, C. Environmental elements involved in communal roosting in Heliconius butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Environ Entomol. 39(3): 907-11.
2010. Salcedo, C. Evidence of pollen digestion at nocturnal aggregations of Heliconius sara in Costa Rica (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Tropical Lepidoptera. 20 (1): 35-37.
Saludos,
Christian

Biology, News »

[11 Jul 2010 | One Comment | 360 views]

One of my favourite conferences is always the international biology of butterflies meeting – the general enthusiasm of butterfly people always makes it a stimulating event, and as it only happens every four years or so, there is plenty of time to recover for the next one. The most recent, and now the 6th time the congress has been held, was in Edmonton, Canada last week.
Evolving wings
The Edmonton meeting was no exception to the rule, and there was a generous helping of Heliconius biology to boot. Much of …

Biology, Photos »

[1 Jun 2010 | No Comment | 295 views]
Gregarious larvae

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Heliconius doris eggs and larvae decimating a Passiflora in the Kaw Mountains of French Guiana.

Biology, Photos »

[16 Apr 2010 | One Comment | 636 views]

This amazing footage of an H. erato pupating is at 10X normal speed. This transformation happens pretty fast in real time.
An erato pupating
.
Many thanks to Kate Raisz and the 42 Degrees North film company who supplied this clip. And thanks Owen for pointing out the correct accreditation.

Biology, Photos »

[18 Nov 2009 | No Comment | 958 views]
Pollen load

Heliconius melpomene aglaope processing a pollen load.  Adults may spend several hours processing pollen, producing saliva which is mixed with the pollen to release amino acids and then ingested.  The large grains of white pollen in the photo are from Psiguria warcewiczii.

Biology »

[9 Nov 2009 | No Comment | 935 views]
Heliconius hecale melicerta

Heliconius hecale melicerta, from Gamboa area, Panama

Biology, Photos »

[4 Nov 2009 | No Comment | 843 views]
Roosting erato

Heliconius erato petiverana roosting gregariously in the insectary in Gamboa

Biology, Photos »

[4 Nov 2009 | One Comment | 924 views]
Gregarious roost

Heliconius erato petiverana roosting gregariously.

Biology, Photos »

[4 Nov 2009 | No Comment | 582 views]
Hanging from one another

A Heliconius erato petiverana female roosting, hanging from the wings of another.  Note the characteristic roosting posture of females (both individuals here are female), with their hindwings covering the forewing band.

Biology »

[4 Nov 2009 | No Comment | 460 views]
Roosting erato 2

Heliconius erato petiverana roosing gregariously in the insectary in Gamboa.  Individuals coming in to roost spend several minutes ‘fanning’ the butterflies already hanging up, often dislodging them from the perch.  The reason for this social behaviour is not really well understood.