HELICONIINAE. By Dr. A. Serrz. 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 Tropical 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 Heliconiinae; 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, what would he 
bring home? Most assuredly a number of this same Heliconius; but in addition a whole series of very similar 
butterflies belonging to the most heterogeneous groups. Surely he will have obtained a few 9° of Perhybris 
pyrrha, some Bueides 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 have such a marvellous external similarity to H. 
narcaea that even the most experienced eye of the collector could not discern any difference in them while fly- 
ing. Such a butterfly occurring around Rio is f. i. Melinaea ethra (33d), which agrees with narcaea also 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. narcaea, it is absolutely impossible to tell with certainty whether a 
certain butterfly one there sees flying 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 9 of Hresia eunice (91a) 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. 
aetege 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 huttertlies 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 belongs to the Heliconiinae, 
most probably H. melpomene (75 a). But what else would we find, were we bent upon 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 Nymphalidae Eresia castilla, which makes up the smaller members of the uniformed Compe In addition 
a whole number of Heliconiinae belonging to quite different groups than melpomence, as t. i. H. guarica, the 
northerly form of vulcanus (76 c), and HL. viculata (78 b). Sometimes they still reveal by ee characteristics 
their origin from quite different groups, as f. i. H. rubellia (741) by its yellow subterminal band; but these 
marks 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 Actinote presenting the same type of colouring, and 
in addition a whole number of more or less distant Nymphalids, such as Hresia 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 mimicry and not’on rela- 
tionship or physical influences, naturalists are still at variance. But that it is of some advantage to many butter- 
flies to imitate in an almost unnatural manner certain invariable, but not at all simple or easily explained colour- 
schemes, probably no one doubts, Certain it is that the Danaids are protected against certain enemies by the 
