Survival and Development of Zebra Longwing, Heliconius charithonia, on Native and Non-native Passion Vines, Passiflora sp., in South Florida
Abstract
Zebra longwing butterflies (Heliconius charithonia) are distributed throughout Central and South America, and the southernmost regions of the United States, including Florida. These heliconian butterflies not only consume nectar, but are also known to feed on pollen, resulting in a longer lifespan than most butterflies. In their larval stage, H. charithonia feed exclusively on Passiflora spp, however preferred host species for H. charithonia eggs and overall larval performance across Passion vine species is not well documented. We examined these criteria of zebra longwings from egg to adulthood on two native passion vines to Florida, corky stem (Passiflora suberosa) and maypop (Passiflora incarnata), and two non-native species, bluecrown (Passiflora caerulea) and possum (Passiflora edulis). Plants were left outside and separated by species for three days to allow egg laying by the zebra longwings to occur. All eggs on each passion vine species were then counted, and plants were moved into species specific chambers to study larval survival and development. Percent survival from egg to larvae, larvae to chrysalis, chrysalis to adult, and egg to adult were determined, as well as forewing length and sex of adults for each Passiflora sp. Results indicated potential incompatibility between H. charithonia larvae and Passiflora caerulea. The native Passiflora suberosa was preferred by H. charithonia for egg laying and also resulted in the greatest larval survival rate.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Paul Arena
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2022 12:00 PM
End Date
4-7-2022 5:00 PM
Survival and Development of Zebra Longwing, Heliconius charithonia, on Native and Non-native Passion Vines, Passiflora sp., in South Florida
Alvin Sherman Library
Zebra longwing butterflies (Heliconius charithonia) are distributed throughout Central and South America, and the southernmost regions of the United States, including Florida. These heliconian butterflies not only consume nectar, but are also known to feed on pollen, resulting in a longer lifespan than most butterflies. In their larval stage, H. charithonia feed exclusively on Passiflora spp, however preferred host species for H. charithonia eggs and overall larval performance across Passion vine species is not well documented. We examined these criteria of zebra longwings from egg to adulthood on two native passion vines to Florida, corky stem (Passiflora suberosa) and maypop (Passiflora incarnata), and two non-native species, bluecrown (Passiflora caerulea) and possum (Passiflora edulis). Plants were left outside and separated by species for three days to allow egg laying by the zebra longwings to occur. All eggs on each passion vine species were then counted, and plants were moved into species specific chambers to study larval survival and development. Percent survival from egg to larvae, larvae to chrysalis, chrysalis to adult, and egg to adult were determined, as well as forewing length and sex of adults for each Passiflora sp. Results indicated potential incompatibility between H. charithonia larvae and Passiflora caerulea. The native Passiflora suberosa was preferred by H. charithonia for egg laying and also resulted in the greatest larval survival rate.
