Heliconius Erota

Heliconius erato is a butterfly commonly known under a variety of names, such as the "Red Postman", the "Small Postman", the "Red Passion Flower Butterfly", or the "Crimson-Patched Longwing". It is one of about 40 Neotropical species belonging to the genus Heliconius. The species is remarkably variable in color and form throughout northern South America, depending on location, and its various appearances can be difficult to distinguish from various other Heliconius butterflies such as Heliconius sara, also known as the Sara Longwing. Particularly hard to distinguish is the related Heliconius melpomene, or "The Postman", which mimics almost all the color forms of Heliconius erato; color forms are synchronized between the two throughout their common habitats. Heliconius erato is up to about 5.7 cm (2.25 inches) in wingspan with a jerky unelegance in flight.

Like Heliconius charitonius, H. erato is one of the few butterflies that collects and digests pollen, conferring considerable longevity to the adults (several months). Adults roost in groups, returning to the same location each night.

Tiger Swallowtail

Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies which form the family Papilionidae. There are at least 550 species, and though the majority are tropical, members of the family are found on all continents except Antarctica. The family includes the largest butterflies in the world, the birdwing butterflies of Australia (genus Ornithoptera).

Swallowtails differ from all other butterflies in a number of anatomical traits. Most notably, their caterpillars possess a unique organ behind their heads, called the osmeterium. Normally hidden, this forked structure can be everted when the caterpillar is threatened, and emits smelly secretions containing terpenes. The adults are often tailed, giving the insect its name.

Red Lacewing Butterfly

The Lacewing Butterfly, or Admiral, has the most intricate wing art of all our butterfly decorations, just enough to suggest the incredible beauty of it's real counterparts. Made from sturdy, low maitenence acrylic, and painted with sparkling uv resistant paints, the large lacewing ornament has a wingspan of 21.5 inches, and the small is 13 inches across.

Mostly found in tropical climes, members of the genus Cethosia are known as lacewings because of the distinctive lacey edges of the wings. They also frequently have intricate markings on the underside of their wings, adding to the lace-like effect.

Marvelous Metamorphosis

The Monarch is a common poisonous butterfly that eats poisonous milkweed in its larval stage and lays its eggs on the milkweed plant. Monarchs have a wingspan of 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches (8.6 - 12.4 cm).

Butterflies are beautiful, flying insects with large scaly wings. Like all insects, they have six jointed legs, 3 body parts, a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts are the head, thorax (the chest), and abdomen (the tail end). The four wings and the six legs of the butterfly are attached to the thorax. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and wings move.

The Gaudy Commodore, London Butterfly House, England

Butterflies are beautiful, flying insects with large scaly wings. Like all insects, they have six jointed legs, 3 body parts, a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts are the head, thorax (the chest), and abdomen (the tail end).

The butterfly's body is covered by tiny sensory hairs. The four wings and the six legs of the butterfly are attached to the thorax. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and wings move.