Bugland: Splash Of Color
Heliconian butterflies are large and slow-flying and highly conspicuous as they flit along the borders of tropical forests, pausing here and there among the flowers for a sip of nectar and even pollen. Their colorful wing patterns are attractive to potential mates, but also a warning to potential predators to stay away as protective chemicals make them toxic. Also called Longwings, these butterflies are relatively common in tropical and subtropical regions from South America to the southern United States. Photo by Mark Silverstein