Postman Butterfly Forms - Rayed Variations Heliconius erato/melpomene
The Small Postman has many forms and subspecies over its range; most of the forms are mimicked by the Common Postman as well as other Heliconian Butterflies such as Cydno.
A large number of Longwing butterflies mimic this basic red, rayed pattern on black as a warning to potential predators.
In addition to the Postmen, H. melpomene (forms/subspecies: aglaope, malleti, penelope, thelxiope, vicinus) and H. erato
(eg subspecies emma, lativitta), the following have a form similar to some degree: H. burneyi, H. demeter, H. elevatus, H. timareta,
H. xanthocles, Neruda aoede and Eueides tales. Some H. cydno subspecies/forms also have this type of pattern and
Laparus doris (also called H. doris) has a passing resemblance. There are also others.
The white forewing bar(s) varies considerably.
Neruda aoede?
The butterflies above are several with only one white bar on each forewing rather than two.
These look a little like H. erato emma of Peru. Also like
H. m. malleti or its mimic H. timareta florencia? (Or H. m ecuadorensis or mimic H. timareta timoratus?)
Very similar to a rayed hybrid form of Small Postman, H. erato, and also to its close relative H. himera
flying in adjacent, overlapping regions.
Similar to H. m. penelope from central South America, but is a hybrid form of H. erato and
H. himera.
Doesn't seem to have the red hind wing bar of H. m. malleti nor of similar H. timareta florencia/timoratus
forms. Could be another H. timareta subspecies/form or another Erato-Himera form.
This version above is entirely red and pink.
The red Postman-type above is relatively small.
A different pattern of thicker rays and red and white forewing bar (heurippa and melpomene?).
Different again: no white forewing bar (just a spot), but a white hind wing bar.
Thinner rays again with pink forewing bar.
Links:
Cydno-postman type Longwings
Small Postman
Common Postman
other Postman forms