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Doris Longwing (Laparus doris)

The Doris Longwing is one of the members of the ‘longwing’ group that includes 71 species, and are widely spread in seven local subspecies, including one unnamed subspecies from Trinidad.

Scientific Classification

Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Laparus
Common names: Doris
Scientific Name: Laparus doris

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The fully grown larva has a greenish-yellow base color marked with transverse black bands throughout its backside, as well as branched black spines on both its back. As well as the two sides. It feeds mostly on Passiflora.

Pupa

The chrysalis is tan to reddish-brown without any spine and often seen hanging from the dry twigs of its host plant or even on tree trunks, where they can easily camouflage for their coloration.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Not visible

Color and Appearance: As mentioned, they appear in many colors, when the wings are open, the pair of elongated primary wings display a two sets of white to cream spots on each wing, one in the middle and the other near the tip on a jet black base color – a characteristic feature common to all its forms. The two secondary wings commonly display a bright orange color patch shaped like finger digits, but can also be blue, red, or bright cream. When the wings are closed, they display a mirror image of the dorsal sides.

Average wingspan: 2¾ to 3½ inches

Flight pattern: Very slow and graceful

Eggs

Yellow in color, and laid in clusters of up to 200

Quick Facts
Distribution	Common in Mexico to Bolivia
Habitat	Rain forests, sunny open lands often near slow-flowing streams and rivers
Lifespan of adults	Up to 9 months
Host plants	Usually prefers and feeds aggressively on the Passiflora, but also Psiguria and Psychotia
Adult diet	Flower nectar, pollen

Did You Know?

The females of the species seem to specifically prefer Psiguria and Psychotia flowers from where they can easily extract proteins that can help them continue producing eggs over a long period of time.