Laparis doris PUPAE

Heliconius doris (Linnaeus, 1771), the Doris Longwing, is one of the Longwing Butterflies, native to South and Central America, known for their intricate evolutioinary relationships with Passionflowers (Passifloracae) and fascinating courtship behaviour. They were formerly in the genus Heliconius, but have since been assigned to their own, Laparis, due to distinct behavioural and morphological features. The species has seven desrcibed subspecies from different parts of their ranges, covering much of the north-west of South America, and southern Central America, typically inhabiting rainforest habitat, where they breed in humid, somewhat shady environments. It is important, therefore, that in captivity we maintain a high level of humidity for species like doris, and offer shady areas if keeping in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Eggs are laid in clusters on the leaves (and possibly stems) of the host plants - reported to include: Passiflora ligularis; P. laurifolia; P. acuminata; P. serratodigitata. These butterflies can live for several months if their diet is supplemented with amino acids, which in nature are obtained from the pollen of nectar flowers such as Lantana and Stachytarpheta, and in captivity their nectar solution can be supplemented with essential amino acid powder.