Helicoius erato (male)
 
Heliconius erato is probably the commonest and most widespread Heliconiine. It's 29 subspecies are distributed across the neotropical region from Mexico to Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. The subspecies luscombei is confined to the Amazonian lowlands of south-eastern Peru, while microclea is restricted to mid-elevation sites in central Peru, and petiverana is Central American. Mexico to Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina Heliconius erato, or the red postman, is one of about 40 neotropical species of butterfly belonging to the genus Heliconius. It is also commonly known as the small postman, the red passion flower butterfly, or the crimson-patched longwing. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
H. erato exhibits Müllerian mimicry with other Heliconius butterflies such as Heliconius melpomene in order to warn common predators against attacking, which contributes to its surprising longevity. It also has a unique mating ritual involving the transfer of anti-aphrodisiacs from males to females.