Cydno Longwing Butterfly | Heliconius cydno PUPAE

Heliconius cydno, commonly known as the Cydno Longwing, is a butterfly in the Nymphalidae family, renowned for its role in studies of mimicry and speciation. It is native to Central and South America, inhabiting tropical forests and edges where host and nectar plants thrive.

Adult Heliconius cydno butterflies exhibit striking wing patterns that vary geographically. Typically, they have deep metallic blue wings with white or cream bands and spots, complemented by touches of orange or red on the forewings in some populations. Their bright coloration serves as a warning signal to predators, as these butterflies are unpalatable due to the toxins they acquire from their larval host plants.

H. cydno is found in tropical rainforests from Mexico to the Amazon basin, preferring elevations ranging from lowlands to mid-montane regions. It shares overlapping habitats with closely related species, including Heliconius melpomene and Heliconius pachinus. 

These butterflies are slow, graceful fliers and spend much of their time foraging for nectar from flowers or feeding on pollen, a rare behavior among butterflies that enhances their lifespan and reproductive success. They also engage in territorial behaviors and courtship displays. 

Heliconius cydno is a model organism in evolutionary biology due to its role in Müllerian mimicry and its ability to hybridize with related species. These hybrids provide insights into genetic and ecological factors driving speciation.

Host plants: Passionvines (Passiflora)

Difficulty: Easy (2/10)

Conditions: Warm room temperature & high humidity.

Lifecycle: Continually brooded; adults are very long-lived.