Sara Longwing

Sara Longwing | Heliconius sara | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Subspecies theudela Sara Longwing butterfly with wings open. Butterfly has long black wings, is faintly blue near the center with white bands and white edges.

Sara Longwing | Heliconius sara | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Subspecies veraepacis Sara Longwing butterfly with wings closed. Butterfly has long black wings. Wings are black with red markings near the body and white band across the wings.

Sara Longwing | Heliconius sara | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Subspecies sprucei Sara Longwing butterfly with wings open. Wings are long and narrow. Butterfly is black, iridescent blue at the center with white bands across the wings. Smaller white marking edge the wings.

Sara Longwing Subspecies Sprucei | Heliconius sara | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

white-tan white chrysalis with texture, black stripes and a rows of thin spikes hanging from a plant stem

Sara Longwing, Heliconius sara, chrysalis. Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Common Name: Sara Longwing
Scientific Name: Heliconius sara
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Tribe: Heliconiini
Wingspan: 2.3 to 2.75 in
Place of origin: Central & South America

Butterflies in the exhibit are raised on butterfly farms around the world. This form of sustainable agriculture helps protect natural forest habitats from destruction and promote local economic growth.

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