Longwing Butterfly on Milkweed
by Joni Eskridge
Title
Longwing Butterfly on Milkweed
Artist
Joni Eskridge
Medium
Photograph
Description
The Blog of the American Museum of Natural history says that butterflies that belong to the Heliconius genus, known colloquially as longwings, have discovered the secrete to butterfly longevity.
The Blog post goes on to talk about how these Longwings - who get their name from their elongated wings - can feed not only on nectar, but can process pollen into a sweet food by secreting enzymes onto their proboscides. The amino acids in the pollen of the plants they frequent are thought to increase their egg production and lifespan up to eight months, making them one of the longest-living of the butterflies.
They favor passion flowers as a place to lay their eggs as well as for food. The caterpillars feed on the leaves, which in turn gives the butterflies a toxicity which protects them from predators.
This beauty was photographed in a controlled butterfly garden.
Copyright © 2014 Joni Eskridge
Uploaded
July 21st, 2017
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