Longwing Postman Butterfly

This butterfly is especially interesting because of its long narrow wings. The red postman (Heliconius erato) is one of about 40 Neotropical species... more

by Phyllis Taylor

Title

Longwing Postman Butterfly

Artist

Phyllis Taylor

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This butterfly is especially interesting because of its long narrow wings. The red postman (Heliconius erato) is one of about 40 Neotropical species of butterfly belonging to the genus Heliconius. It is also commonly known as the small postman, the red passion flower butterfly, or the crimson-patched longwing.

The species is remarkably variable in color and form throughout northern South America, depending on location, and its various appearances can be difficult to distinguish from various other Heliconius butterflies such as Heliconius sara, also known as the sara longwing. Particularly hard to distinguish is the related Heliconius melpomene, or "the postman", which mimics almost all the colour forms of Heliconius erato; colour forms are synchronized between the two throughout their common habitats.

Uploaded

October 12th, 2016