Heliconius erato
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Photo] Heliconius erato, Red Postman, Monsanto Insectarium, St. Louis Zoo, 11/11/2005, Robert Lawton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rklawton

Heliconius erato is commonly known under a variety of names, such as the "Red Postman", the "Small Postman", the "Red Passion Flower Butterfly", or the "Crimson-Patched Longwing". It is one of about 40 different Neotropical species belonging to the genus Heliconius. The species is remarkably variable in color and form throughout northern South America, and its various appearances can be difficult to distinguish between various other Heliconius butterflies such as Heliconius sara, also known as the Sara Longwing. Particularly hard to distinguish is the related butterfly Heliconius melpomene, or "The Postman", which mimics almost all the color forms of Heliconius erato; color forms are synchronized between the two throughout their common habitats. Heliconius erato is up to about 2.25 inches in wingspan with a jerky unelegance in flight.

Like Heliconius charitonius, H. erato is one of the few butterflies that collects and digests pollen, conferring considerable longevity to the adults (several months). Adults roost in groups, returning to the same location each night.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliconius_erato

The text in this page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article shown in above URL. It is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.