Traplining

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

  longwings, heliconians

  Heliconius is a genus of brush-footed butterflies renowned for their bright aposematic wing patterns and Müllerian mimicry rings. Adults are unique among butterflies in their ability to collect and digest pollen, which provides essential amino acids enabling lifespans of up to six months—far exceeding most butterflies. The genus serves as a premier model system for studying speciation, mimicry evolution, and coevolutionary dynamics with their host plants. Approximately 45–50 species occur across the Neotropics, exhibiting complex patterns of wing color convergence and divergence.

  pollen-feedingMüllerian-mimicrycoevolutionspeciation-modelaposematismcyanogenic-defenseextended-lifespantrapliningpupal-matingNeotropical