![]() ![]() The answer lies in the dynamics of predator avoidance. What advantages could Mullerian mimicry confer to these butterflies? In Batesian mimicry, the harmless mimic can steal some of the protection awarded when predators avoid toxic patterns. They are indistinguishable except in close-up photos, where you can spot a slight difference with the hindwing yellow stripe: in Heliconius melpomenethis curves up, and in Heliconius erato it curves down. Known as “the postman” and “the small postman”, they have a red band on the forewing and a yellow band on the hindwing. They engage in Mullerian mimicry: all are toxic, and both species in each mimicry pair benefit from evolving matching wing patterns.įor example, two of the Heliconius species at Golfo Dulce Retreat are Heliconius melpomene and Heliconius erato. Yet, Heliconius butterflies are not so straightforward. The classic case of mimicry is when a harmless species mimics a toxic species, termed Batesian mimicry. Nature favours the copycat: the world is teeming with examples of mimicry, from hoverflies that look like wasps to harmless snakes passing as their venomous counterparts. These butterflies are famous for the wing pattern mimicry. Heliconius are an enchanting group of butterflies that have characteristic black elongated wings, over which evolution has painted splashes of colour, ranging from thin yellow and red bands in some species to large swathes of mottled orange in others. One of the most fascinating and well-researched examples can be found right here in the tropical gardens of Golfo Dulce Retreat in Costa Rica. ![]() By Bethan (Resident Biologists from the University of Cambridge)Įvolution is a master artist, and butterfly wings are perfect canvases for evolution, leading to impressive displays of pattern and mimicry. ![]()
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