Sara Longwing/ Small Blue Grecian Butterfly Heliconius sara

Sara Longwing Butterfly
Sara Longwing Butterfly
The Sara Longwing Butterfly, also called the Small Blue Grecian, one of the Heliconian family, is native to Mexico through to northern South America.
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Sara Butterfly
The topside has a beautiful midnight blue iridescence on black, not seen from all angles. Male and female have a similar appearance.
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Sara Butterfly
In common with other Heliconian butterflies, adults not only drink nectar but also eat pollen which improves their lifespan.
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Small Blue Grecian Butterfly
Sara Butterfly
Caterpillars eat Passion Flower vines, the toxins from which give them and the adult butterflies some protection from predators.
One subspecies of the Sara Longwing, H. s. theudela native to Costa Rica, has a white keyboard bar bordering its hindwings.