Longwings butterflies

You can watch butterflies from the Heliconius genus in flight in the Insectarium’s Great Vivarium.

Butterflies of the Heliconius genus include around 550 species worldwide. They have slender bodies, long antennae, and vivid colours known as aposematic colouring, which warn predators of their toxicity.

Their eggs resemble tiny ears of corn and are typically laid singly.

At the end of the day, many longwings butterfly's species tend to gather in clusters. This behaviour amplifies their aposematic colouring, reinforcing the visual signal and lowering each individual’s risk of predation.

Caterpillars and chrysalises

Longwings butterflies' caterpillars are both urticating and toxic to vertebrates. Handling them can cause skin irritation in some individuals.

The chrysalises hang upside down, suspended by an anchor point called a cremaster. They are sometimes spiny and cryptic, resembling dry leaves to blend into their surroundings.

Superfamily: Papilionoidea