Secret to Heliconius Butterflies’ Longevity May Be Hidden in Pollen
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A team of entomologists led by the University of Bristol and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has compiled decades of data from butterfly houses, wild field studies, and lab experiments to build the most comprehensive picture yet of how long Heliconius butterflies — a colorful genus of tropical butterflies found across Central and South America — live and how slowly they age.
Their findings reveal a roughly three-fold lifespan extension in Heliconius over their closest relatives in the same butterfly tribe, with one species, Heliconius hewitsoni, recorded living up to 348 days in captivity. Image credit: Robert Lawton / CC BY-SA 2.5. Heliconius is a genus of brightly colored butterflies found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, with some species reaching southern parts of the United States.
They are commonly known as ‘longwings’ because of their elongated wings. Most butterflies drink nectar, which is rich in sugars but poor in protein. Heliconius butterflies supplement nectar with pollen, collecting it on their proboscis and extracting amino acids using saliva.
This unusual feeding strategy was first documented by evolutionary biologist Lawrence Gilbert in 1972. The extra amino acids appear to fuel several unusual traits, including extended lifespan, sustained egg production, and enhanced chemical defenses. Many Heliconius species can live for several months in the wild.
This is substantially longer than their close relatives in the broader Heliconiini tribe, who have a lifespan of roughly six weeks. It has not been clear what contributes to their unique longevity, although it is thought that the retention of pollen-feeding behavior in adulthood could play a role.
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