Erato Heliconian
Heliconius erato (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Forewing black with pink-red band; hindwing black with yellow stripe.
Wing Span: 2 5/8 - 3 1/8 inches (6.7 - 8 cm).
Life History: Males patrol during the day for females, and also mate with females as they emerge from the chrysalis. After mating, males place a repellant chemical on the female's abdomen to keep other males from mating with her. Eggs are laid singly on young tendrils and shoots, which the caterpillars eat.
Flight: June and August-September in South Texas, all year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various passion-vines (Passiflora species).
Adult Food: Flower nectar and pollen.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests and edges.
Range: Brazil north through Central America to Mexico; a rare stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
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
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 verified sightings
Observation date: Dec 23, 2017
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 25, 2017
Observation date: Jul 03, 2016
Submitted by: Robalero
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 26, 2017
Observation date: Feb 06, 2015
Submitted by: HelenVG
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 18, 2015
Observation date: Mar 10, 2013
Submitted by: janeth13
Region: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 03, 2015
Observation date: Feb 17, 2012
Submitted by: DJHiker
Region: Bocas del Toro Province, Panama
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jul 08, 2014
Observation date: Feb 15, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Apr 03, 2014
Observation date: Jul 07, 2013
Submitted by: renaissance
Region: Durham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: harrylegrand
Verified date: Oct 18, 2013
Observation date: Mar 03, 2011
Submitted by: Walt Webb
Region: Stann Creek District, Belize
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: May 01, 2013
Observation date: Feb 15, 2013
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 19, 2013
Observation date: Feb 12, 2012
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Nov 20, 2012
Observation date: Feb 16, 2010
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Nov 20, 2012
Observation date: Nov 21, 2011
Submitted by: uberpeon
Region: Guerrero, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Nov 17, 2012
Observation date: Feb 28, 2007
Submitted by: Naseem Reza
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: paulopler
Verified date: May 03, 2011
Observation date: Oct 01, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Parr, Linda)
Region: Macomb County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 05, 2008
Submitted by: naomiblinick
Region: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Apr 09, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Dec 28, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004