zebra longwing butterfly
Heliconius charithonia latin

Communal roosting behavior has also been observed in the neotropical zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charitonius) in the La Cinchona region of Costa Rica.

This area showcases larval and nectar plants for Monarch Butterfly, Swallowtail Butterfly, Zebra Longwing Butterfly, and other butterflies.

Amazing Animals All About Nature - Choose to print-out colouring pages and information about your favourite animals from the huge selection from the Aardvark to the Zebra Longwing Butterfly.

One such species to exhibit this behavior is Heliconius charithonia.

Is a mimic of the zebra longwing (Heliconius charithonia).

In some species, such as Heliconius charithonia, mating can occur inside the pupa of females by males.

Heliconius charithonia displays intra-species recognition by roosting with conspecifics.

Heliconius charithonia uses a mating plug in the form of a spermataphore that provides predatory defense chemicals and protein sources for developing eggs.

Larvae of Heliconius charithonia also eat "Passiflora", in order to indirectly attract males to females via the chemical signals emitted upon feeding.

Like Heliconius charithonia, H. erato is one of the few butterflies that collects and digests pollen, conferring considerable longevity to the adults (several months).