Heliconius Rearing Facilities
Our rearing facilites are designed to contain three species of Neotropical Heliconius butterflies. We are currently harboring H. erato, H. himera, and in the future possibly H. melpomene. We have collected these species from populations across Central and South America. Our research objectives include genetic mapping studies of wing pattern genes, developmental genetics of wing pattern change, and evolutionary genomics. Our goal is to understand the genetic basis of wing color pattern from an evolutionary and development perspective. The work requires culturing insects in a semi-natural setting and rearing them in a controlled laboratory settings.  

 
UPR-Botanical Gardens:

The majority of our stocks are kept in a single well protected 20 x 50m greenhouse at the University of Puerto Ricoís Jardin Botanico Sur (UPR-JB) two kilometers from the UPR-RP campus.

Our greenhouses provide researchers with the room to raise stocks of Heliconius species, as well as, make controlled crosses between these species and races. In our main greenhouse we currently have 5 approximately 8 x 10 foot stock cages, two 4 by 8 foot inbred "line" cages and four single female isolation cages. The facility is cooled by a computer controlled mist system and has an exaust fan on a timer. We are planning to upgrades to the facility in the near future.
 
UPR-RP:

To maintain stocks and rear up individual families from crosses performed in the greenhouses we have developed a larval rearing facility. Heliconius species are relatively tolerant of variable environmental conditions in the rearing facility but need to be hand fed. The single most important detail in rearing is to keep them hydrated by feeding them high quality hyrdrated Passiflora host plant. We also augment humidity with spray bottles and a humidifier with an UV sterilizer to prevent spreading of mist-borne disease. The rearing facilities are kept at approximately 23-26 degrees celsius by two thermostatically controlled AC units.