Heraclides androgeus

Heraclides androgeus (Heraclides androgeus)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — papilionidae

Genus – heraclides

Appearance

At first the caterpillars are dark green with orange-brown spots, later they are gray-brown with indistinct white spots which look like bird droppings.

The wingspan is 134–140 mm. The color of the butterfly is dark brown. Males have a broad horizontal yellow stripe running along the whole wings. There is a chain of red, white and yellow spots along the edge of the hindwings. There are several small tails on the hind wings. Females have not got yellow wings, and the hind wings are usually dark blue.

Habitat

It is found from Mexico to Argentina with a small population in southern Florida.

Behavior

They demonstrate daily activity. Males are found in large groups on moist soil, absorbing mineralized moisture.

Like other caterpillars of this family, the caterpillars of this butterfly have an osmetrium – a gland behind the head that extends in danger and has got two long red "horns".

Diet

The larvae feed on the leaves of Zanthoxylum elephantiasis, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus sinensis. Adults feed on nectar of various flowers. When feeding on flowers, the wings of butterflies constantly flutter.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. Females lay eggs one at a time on the leaves of the forage plant. It is better to keep the caterpillars in mesh terrariums, 6-8 insects in one place. In the terrarium, you need to place a branch of a forage plant. Forage plants in caterpillar terrariums should be replaced every 3-4 days. The temperature is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of 65-75 %. The pupae are grey-brown with an indistinct light pattern and a few small green spots. They have two large outgrowths on the head. The pupae attach to the bark and look like a dry twig.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed the butterflies with honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.