The photo shows Müllerian mimicry
(mutualistic resemblance in which all the species are unpalatable) between
Heliconius
melpomene, Heliconius erato, and their comimics in San Martín,
Eastern Peru. On the top line are H.melpomene (left) and H.erato
(right) from the Ríos Mayo and upper Huallaga. Their pattern switches
to join a "rayed" mimicry ring in the lower Huallaga; left -
H.melpomene,
H.elevatus,
H.demeter;
centre - Laparus doris, Neruda aoede, Eueides tales and a pericopine
moth; right - H.erato,
H.burneyi, and H.xanthocles.
Last constructed: 19 July 2000