Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Isabella's Heliconian
Eueides isabella (Stoll, 1781)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Forewing elongated with rounded apex. Wings similar above and below. Apical half of forewing black with yellow areas; basal half orange with a black stripe. Hindwing orange with 2 black stripes; white dots along the black outer margin.
Wing Span: 3 1/16 - 3 1/2 inches (7.8 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for receptive females, who may mate more than once. Eggs are laid singly on tendrils or on underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars then feed on those parts of the plant. Adults roost alone on underside of leaves.
Flight: April-July in Texas, throughout the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Passion-vines (Passiflora species).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical woodland edges, scrub, and brushy fields.
Range: Brazil north to Mexico and the West Indies; periodic immigrant to central Texas.
Conservation: Not required for irregular resident.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Get your BAMONA Gear!

Hoodies and t-shirts in two designs!


Advertise with us!

Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.