Dryas

Julia heliconians

Dryas is a of () containing the single Dryas iulia, commonly known as the Julia or Julia heliconian. from Brazil through Central America to the southern United States, this species has been observed as far north as eastern Nebraska during summer months. The genus is notable for its specialized feeding , with known to drink tears from reptiles and secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and . Over 15 have been described across its broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.

Dryas by (c) Anne Toal, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Dryas by (c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Dryas atlantis beani by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dryas: /ˈdraɪəs/

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Images

Distribution

range extends from Brazil through Central America to southern Texas and Florida; summer vagrants have been recorded as far north as eastern Nebraska. The occurs across Neotropical and southern Nearctic regions.

Diet

have been observed drinking the salty tears of caiman and other reptiles, and sipping secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and .

Behavior

engage in specialized nutrient acquisition behaviors including 'tear-feeding' (lachryphagy) on reptiles and secretion feeding on sleeping birds to obtain limiting salts and .

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Sources and further reading