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Julia Heliconian

Dryas iulia alcionea

Photo by Muckpuk
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Its wingspan ranges from 82 to 92 mm, and it is colored orange (brighter in male specimens) with black markings; this species is somewhat unpalatable to birds and belongs to the "orange" Batesian Mimicry mimic complex.

Habitat:

At the Beach of the Caribbean Sea, near Chuspa, Miranda, Venezuela.

Notes:

Very interesting fact! It feeds on the tears of caiman and turtles, the eye of which the butterfly irritates to produce tears!! Isn't that cool!
Also an interesting trait common to the longwinged butterflies is their specialized proboscis that allows them to feed on pollen. They are able to get amino acids from the pollen that they cannot get from nectar. This unique diet allows them to live longer than many other butterflies.

Reference Links:

Dryas iulia - Wikipedia, Julia Heliconian Butterfly and Chrysalis pictures : Gardens With Wings

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
Malcolm Wilton-Jones
The new mission should be announced here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/projectnoahworldwide/?ref=bookmarks and here: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/?ref=bookmarks I have asked for this to be done.
Muckpuk
Ok understood. I always seem to find out about pictures of the year missions at the end of the year! ;-( Is there a way to find out before? Where will I find it when it starts?
Malcolm Wilton-Jones
Hi, please note that the 2016 Best Wildlife Photo Mission ended at the end of January 2017. We have now blocked this mission from accepting further postings. Those added later will not be eligible. A new mission for 2017 will be created soon.

Spotted for Missions

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Butterflies & Moths of the World
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Pollinating Insects of the World
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Global Flight
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Mission Venezuela
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2016 Best Wildlife Photo

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Photographed
PublishedFebruary 5, 2017

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