Heliconius melpomene PUPAE

Heliconius melpomene is known as the Postman Butterfly or Common Postman. It is native to Central and South America, breeding in warm, humid rainforest habitat. Very rarely, individuals of this species even migrate from Central America into the southern USA. The butterfly itself is brightly coloured, and varies geographically with 16 recognised subspecies. Currently, butterfly farms supply the subsp. rosina, plesseni, cythera, and aglaope, which all have very distinct colouration and patterning (known as phenotypes). See photos for reference. Heliconius melpomene co-evolved with the related Small Postman Heliconius erato, an example of Mullerian mimicry, and are studied to further scientific understanding of speciation, an evolutionary process. Its host plants include various Passifloracae, with their favourites in the wild reportedly being Passiflora oerstedii and P. menispermifolia. In captivity (both enclosures and greenhouses), Passiflora caerulea is a perfect host plant. Recent studies involving mitrochondrial DNA indicate that the species originates around 2.1 million years ago - making it a fairly ‘recent’ species to evolve - but is extremely diverse.