HELIGONIINAE. By Dr. A. Seitz. 375 



Subfamily : Heliconiinae. 



In this group of insects we are confronted with one of the most curious phenomena in the lepidopte- 

 rous world, in as much as it is in an almost unique manner most closely connected and associated with the other 

 genera of butterflies found in TrojDical America. To him who demands scientific proof that for the natural 

 classification of insects structure and anatomy are all-important, whereas colouring and markings play no very 

 great part, one should recommend the study of this group. A limited number of most characteristic patterns 

 are constantly recurring in quite different subgroups of the //eZ/co7(?'»?«e; and not enough with that, but an exact 

 copy of these patterns is found also in most of those groups of butterflies, which occur more or less frequently 

 in the localities where the models are found. One has the impression that the Heliconiinae could but difficultly 

 exist independently by themselves, and that it were necessary for them to associate with a whole number of 

 partly allied, partly quite different forms, in order to hold their own in the struggle for existence. 



This most curious fact becomes at once clear to any one who lands at the coast of South America. 

 Whoever takes the road from Rio de Janeiro to the Monte Corcovado, observes, even before leaving the real 

 town, flying along the bamboo-walls of the gardens, Heliconius narcaea. But were he to capture all butterflies 

 resembling in colouring, markings and manner of flight this most gaudily coloured form, A\hat would he 

 bring home? Most assuredly a number of this same i/eHcowiMs; but in addition a whole series of very similar 

 butterflies belonging to the most heterogeneous groups. Surely he will have obtaiiied a few $9 of Perhyhris 

 pyrrha, some Eueides dianassa (which would be its nearest allies), and in addition a whole number of Danaids 

 (that is to say quite a different group of butterflies) which ha-ve such a marvellous external similarity to H. 

 narcaea that even the most experienced eye of the collector could not discern any diffei'ence in them w hile fly- 

 ing. Such a butterfly occurring around Rio is f. i. Meliyiaea ethra (33d), which agrees with narcaea alao in size; 

 Mechanitis lysimnia (34 b) is only to be distinguished by its smaller size, and .since during certain times one 

 may find at Rio also dwarf specimens of H. yiarcaea, it is absolutely impossible to tell with certainty whether a 

 certain butterfly one there sees flj'ing about or alighting upon a flower, is a narcaea or not. Further we ob- 

 serve at precisely the same hour another species, exactly resembling it in its mode of flying and its out- 

 ward appearance, viz. Ceratinia euryanassa (35 b); it is only when we hold it in our hand that we may recog- 

 nize the delicate wax-like softness of its wings. Also from the ? of Eresia eunice (91 a) it is difficult to 

 distinguish small specimens of narcaea; indeed we may capture day-flying moths, such as Castniidae, Peri- 

 copiidae and others, — all wearing the dress of Heliconius narcaea. 



A similar experience we may have on landing on the north coast of South America. Here we notice, 

 fluttering about shrubs and bushes, a host of black butterflies with a blood-red spot behind the middle of the 

 wing; playing together they form perfect bands of butterflies, all alike, only some a little larger, others smaller, 

 some flying slowly, others more rapidly. A portion of these butterflies undoubtedly Ijelongs to the Helirotriinae, 

 most probably H. melpomene (75 a). Biit wha.t else would we find, ^\■ere we bent upoji capturing all these black 

 and red specimens which here fly at the same time, and often about the same shrub ? A swallow-tail, Papilio 

 euterpinus (12 c), which dropped its tails and assumed an entirely different shape and mode of flight in order to 

 make the deception effective. Of Pieridae we notice above all Pereute charops (21 b) which forms the larger, 

 and of NympJialidae Eresia castilla, which makes iip the smaller members of the uniformed company. In addition 

 a whole number of Heliconiinae belonging to quite different groups than melpomene, as f. i. H. guarica, the 

 northerly form of vulcanus (76 c), and E. viculata (78 b). Sometimes they still reveal by certam characteristics 

 their origin from quite different groups, as f. i. H. rubellia (74 f) by its yellow subterminal band; but these 

 luarks are so much reduced that they do not interfere with the mimetic deception. Again we meet at these lan- 

 ding-places in Venezuela or Colombia Acraeids of the genus Actinofe presenting the same type of colouring, and 

 in addition a whole number of more or less distant Nymphalids, such as Eresia acraeina, Adelpha lara and others, 

 all of which are mutually closely associated, and present in their outward appearance a similarity which must 

 bewilder any observer. 



As to the biological value of this resemblance which in most cases depends on mimicrj' and not on rela- 

 tionship or physical influences, natiu'alists are still at variance. But that it is of some advantage to many butter- 

 flies to imitate in an almost umiatiu-al manner certain invariable, but not at all sijnple or easily explained colour- 

 schemes, probably no one doubts. Certain it is that the Danaids are protected against certain enemies by the 



