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Project Noah Nature School
Heliconius charithonia
Males patrol for females, and are also attracted to female chrysalids. A male will wait on the chrysalis and mate with the female as she is about to emerge. He then deposits on her abdomen a chemical than repels other males. Eggs are laid in groups of 5-15 on leaf buds or leaves of the host plant; caterpillars feed at night on leaves. Adults roost communally in groups of 25-30 individuals.
Deerfield Beach, FL
Spotted on May 25, 2012
Submitted on May 28, 2012
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