Territorial-like defensive behavior of floral resources by Heliconius ethilla narcaea Godart over H. sara apseudes (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae)

Abstract

The use of nectar and pollen of a bromeliad by two heliconiine butterflies, Heliconius ethilla narcaea Godart, 1819 and H. sara apseudes (Hübner, [1813]) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae), is herein reported. Observations were made during a pollination study of Aechmea gracilis Lindman (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioidea) in a second-growth forest of the village Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Field observations showed that H. ethilla can be more aggressive than H. sara in exploiting A. gracilis floral resources. Temporal differences in the use of these resources were also observed: H. sara remained comparatively less time on flowers than H. ethilla.

Lepidoptera; Heliconius; pollination; Aechmea gracilis; competition; home range