Why do these social butterflies smell bad?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
March 13, 2002
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The zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius Linnaeus) is a brush-footed butterfly. The first pair of legs are greatly reduced, but covered with tiny brush-like sensors. These sensors enable the butterfly to 'taste' and 'smell'.
The zebra longwing develops from egg to imago (adult) in as little as 21 days, but the imago can live as long as six months. The butterflies are found in shady yards and at the edges of forests where passion vines (Passiflora spp.) are present.
The females become receptive prior to emerging from the chrysalis and exude pheromones attracting males. The males fight; the winner mates with the emerging female. The male 'scent marks' the female; she ceases to attract other males. This ensures all offspring will be from the original mating.
The female zebras lay eggs on passion vines, the host plants for the caterpillars. The white caterpillars sequester toxins from the vines, providing the caterpillar and later, the butterfly with protection from predators. (See Renfield's Garden, August 1, 2001)
Zebras are social; the caterpillars feed in groups and the butterflies roost in colonies, returning to the same roost every night. The toxins make these butterflies taste and smell bad. It's thought the 'aroma' coming from a colony keeps predators away.
Like other butterflies, zebras take nectar from flowers, but they also collect sticky pollen. The pollen is carried in the curl of the proboscis, appearing like a yellow ram's horn protruding from the butterfly's head. The zebra flies to a quiet place and secretes digestive enzymes from the tip of the proboscis. This external digestion provides the butterfly with a liquid high in amino acids and is possibly the reason these butterflies are so long lived.
James Adams has posted a photograph of roosting zebra longwings on the Dalton State College website.
Click here to view the photograph
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
How does a passionflower fool a butterfly? Renfield's Garden - August 1, 2001
What butterfly never visits a flower? Renfield's Garden - May 29, 2002
How does a butterfly benefit peppergrass? Renfield's Garden - October 30, 2002
Where is the butterfly banquet? Renfield's Garden - September 26, 2001
Who was Asclepiades Bithynus? What's in a Name? - October 11, 2002
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Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
Unique Professionally Designed Gardens
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Maypop (Passion Flower)
Springhill Nursery®
Unique flowers and edible fruit on the luscious Maypop, North American name for Passion Flower! Hardy perennial vine bears 1 1/2 to 2" bowl-shaped blooms with green centers accented by purple to cream filaments. Yellow egg-shaped fruit is a pleasure to see or eat!
Freezes to ground in winter, returns each spring. Plant 4-6' apart. Shipped in 4'' pot.
Passiflora incarnata
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 8 (-20° F, with heavy mulching)
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Maypop Ships In The Spring
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Unique Characteristics: Ideal for covering a wall or trellis, this hardy perennial vine bears very unique flowers. Flowers are 1 1/2-2'' wide with thread-like extensions in cream with purple around the center. Native to the Eastern U.S., Maypop freezes to the ground each winter, only to re-shoot, flower and produce edible fruit each growing season.
Flowering Vines - Save $20 on $50 order
Chelsie's Note: The Spanish living in the West Indies called these plants granadilla, because the delicious fruit somewhat resembles the granadas or pomegranate. The botanical and common names came in a roundabout way. These names were derived from Flos Passionis, a name bestowed upon these plants by the Spanish friars who came to the Americas to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. With the differences in languages, the friars needed teaching tools and the passionflower made for good symbolism when teaching of the suffering and crucifixion of Christ.
The Spanish friars' legend of the passionflower runs thus: The three bracts at the base of the flower represent the trinity of God. The ten petal-like structures represent the ten apostles present at the crucifixion, Peter being absent because he denied Christ and Judas because he betrayed Christ. In some versions, the fringe petals represent the lash wounds from the whips of the Romans, in other versions; they represent the crown of thorns. The five anthers signified the wounds to Christ's body. The three stigmas at the top represent the nails in the hands and feet.
From Plant of the Week 7/30/2001
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Passion Flower
Gurney's Seed and Nursery®
Lush Twining Tendrils
Commemorates the Crucifixion, according to legend.
White flowers wearing a spike crown of violet are unusual and unique. Large blooms are followed by egg-shaped deep orange fruits that have a flavor reminiscent of blackberries and are good for baking. Benefits from hoop or trellis support and enjoys full sun.
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Orange Glory Flower
Springhill Nursery®
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterflies can't resist the bright color and sweet nectar of this North American native plant. Orange flower clusters top 15-24" stems in mid to late summer. Great for fresh or dried bouquets. Flourishes under drought conditions. Zones 4-9
Space 18-24" apart. #1 field-grown plants. Deer tend to avoid.
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Black Knight Butterfly Bush
Springhill Nursery®
Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight'
Graceful trusses smothered with dark purple flowers attract flocks of butterflies. Long blooming season, from mid-summer into autumn.
6-15' tall with similar spread. Shipped in 4" pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 4 to 9
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Asclepias, 'Gay Butterfly Mix'
Springhill Nursery®
Asclepias tuberosa
Tiny, pendulous blossoms in shades of orange, red, pink and lemon-yellow are sure to lure butterflies to your garden! Cut flowers and pods are beautiful in either fresh or dried arrangements.
Easy-to-grow plants bloom profusely from June to August. Grow 18-36" tall with a similar spread. Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 2 to 8
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