PIANO KEY (or POSTMAN) BUTTERFLY (Heliconius melpomene) feeding on MEXICAN SUNFLOWER - stock photo

PIANO KEY (or POSTMAN) BUTTERFLY (Heliconius melpomene) feeding on MEXICAN SUNFLOWER. This very colorful butterfly displays what looks like a piano keyboard on the hind wings. MULLERIAN MIMICRY, the bright colors are Warning Coloration of the inedibility of this butterfly--the coloration and patterns mimic another species H. erato which has noxious tasting chemicals in its body, thus protecting the piano key butterfly from predation. They feed on Passiflora plants. Range: throughout mexico and central america.