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Animal profile

Postman Butterfly

Heliconius melpomene

InsectaTropical forest edges, clearings, second growth and riverbanks

Field profile

A long-winged neotropical butterfly with red and yellow markings that vary sharply between geographic races. Adults feed on pollen as well as nectar, an unusual ability among butterflies, and larvae feed on passionflower vines.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2023-07-27

Postman Butterfly

The postman butterfly chews and drinks pollen

Most adult butterflies live on sugar and die within weeks. Heliconius collect pollen on the proboscis, work it into a mass, release enzymes to dissolve out amino acids, and drink the result, which lets them live for months.

Read with evidence →

Postman Butterfly | Daily Animal Facts