Cyanogenic-glycosides

Guides

• Heliconiinae

  longwings, heliconians, fritillaries and longwings

  Heliconiinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising 45–50 genera, commonly known as longwings or heliconians. Members are distinguished by elongated forewings and predominantly reddish-black coloration. They are notable among butterflies for actively consuming pollen, which extends adult longevity. The subfamily exhibits complex coevolutionary relationships with Passifloraceae host plants and serves as a classic model for studies of Müllerian and Batesian mimicry.

  pollen-feedingaposematicmimicrycoevolutionPassifloraceaelongevitytropicalNeotropicaltrapliningchemical-defensecyanogenic-glycosidescannibalismanti-aphrodisiacbutterfly-houseevolutionary-model-system

• Heliconius charithonia

  zebra longwing, zebra heliconian

  Heliconius charithonia is a medium-sized butterfly with striking black and white longitudinal wing stripes. Adults are notable among butterflies for feeding on both pollen and nectar, enabling synthesis of cyanogenic glycosides that render them unpalatable to predators. The species exhibits communal roosting behavior and specialized pupal mating. Larvae feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora spp.), with documented performance differences across host species.

  pollen-feedingaposematic-colorationpupal-matingcommunal-roostingPassiflora-specialistlong-lived-butterflydevelopmental-plasticitycyanogenic-glycosidesFlorida-state-butterflytrap-lining-behavior