Dryadula phaetusa is the scientific name for Banded Orange Heliconian. There are many other names for this butterfly, such as Orange Tiger Butterfly. These butterflies are native to Brazil and to Central Mexico. It is also found in some places in Kansas, Texas, and southern Florida. They live in the lowland tropical land and open areas.

 

These butterflies are usually mistaken for a monarch because of its orange and black colors. Male and female have slightly different coloration. Male butterflies have brighter color and thick black stripes, unlike females, have hazier colors. Their size ranges from about 3.6 to 3.9 millimeters.

 

There diet consists of flower nectar and bird droppings.  Though there caterpillars  and larvae eats passion vine leaves. Another thing is that they are unpalatable to birds which makes easier to get the birds droppings and not be eaten.

 

These butterflies have no need for conservation. During their mating season groups of males got to patches of moist soil that contains mineral salts. If they cannot find such minerals they visit different animals and drink salty secretions from their skin or nostrils.

 

Author:  Madison S.

Publish: 02/2010

 

Sources: Wikipedia. April King / Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, Oct. & nov. 2005. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryadula_phaetusa>.

 

Photo Credit:

Richard Bartz, 8 January 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Philaethria_hecale_2_Richard_Bartz.jpg

 

. Debbie Hadley, 2010. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. <http://insects.about.com/od/photography/ig/AMNH-Butterfly-Conservatory.--9W/Banded-Orange-Heliconian.htm>.Butterflies and Moths of North America. Hosted and maintained by the Big Sky Institute at Montana State University., 1995. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. <http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1666>.

 

. Debbie Hadley, 2010. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. <http://insects.about.com/od/photography/ig/AMNH-Butterfly-Conservatory.--9W/Banded-Orange-Heliconian.htm>.