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Project Noah Nature School
Heliconius erato
Forewing black with pink-red band; hindwing black with yellow stripe. 7 cm wingspan.
Tropical and subtropical forests and edges.
Spotted on Dec 29, 2012
Submitted on Mar 9, 2013
6 Comments
Thank you both Andy Brower and bayucca for the ID confirmation.
I agree with Andy Brower (sweetheart), he is the Master of Nymphalidae. Looking at the reports, Melpomene is indeed not found so far in the north. Thanks Andy for taking the time to look at this. And indeed there is a little white "notch" as an extension of the white stripe, which is slightly curved towards the body. Good job, Luis (and Andy)!
Definitely H. erato, as I believe that H. melpomene does not occur in Mexico, certainly not so far north.
Thank you Chief
I just up loaded two more photos with the ventral view to confirm ID, Thanks bayucca.
Any other picture from the underside to rule out Heliconius melpomene?