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The butterfly guide

Chapter 26: Genus HELICONIUS Latreille
By W. J. Holland
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Nature/Gardening/Animals

About This Book

A concise field manual for identifying common North American butterflies, presenting 295 colored figures that depict 255 species and varieties alongside succinct descriptions of wing patterns, sizes, ranges, and habits. The text opens with accessible explanations of butterfly anatomy, classification, and life history, then provides practical, field-oriented identification guidance, often illustrating only a single wing side or half when adequate. Emphasis is on clear visual comparison, terminology, and observation tips to assist naturalists and beginners in recognizing and distinguishing species across the United States and Canada.

Subfamily HELICONIINÆ
(The Heliconians).

Moderately large butterflies. Fore wings twice as long as wide. Antennæ nearly as long as the body; club tapering, but stouter than in the Ithomiids, clothed with scales above. Fore legs feeble in both sexes. Color black, sometimes shot with blue, and variously marked with white, yellow, orange, or crimson spots. Eggs cylindrical, twice as high as wide, tapering and truncate above, ribbed. Caterpillar, when mature, with six branching spines on each segment. Chrysalis angulated, covered with curious projections, making it look like a shrivelled leaf, dark in color.

These insects, which are strongly “protected,” abound in the forests of tropical America. There are many species, but only one occurs in our region.

Genus HELICONIUS Latreille

PL. IV

(1) Heliconius charithonius (Linnæus). Plate IV, ♀ (The Zebra).

The figure suffices for identification. The caterpillar feeds upon the foliage of different species of Passion-flower. Common in the hot parts of the Gulf States, thence ranging all over the American tropics. Expanse 2.5 to 3.5 inches.