triplets that resemble each other is usually a species of the large and handsome genus Heliconius, the others being species of the genera Mechanitis, Melinæa, or Tithorea, though several species of other Danaoid genera also imitate each other. The following lists will give some idea of the number of these curious imitative forms, and of their presence in every part of the Neotropical area. The bracketed species are those that resemble each other so closely that the difference is not perceptible when they are on the wing.
In the Lower Amazon region are found—
| Heliconius sylvana.
Melinæa egina. | ||
| Heliconius numata.
Melinæa mneme. Tithorea harmonia. | ||
| Methona psidii.
Thyridia ino. | ||
| Ceratina ninonia.
Melinæa mnasias. |
In Central America are found—
| Nicaragua | Heliconius zuleika.
Melinæa hezia. Mechanitis sp. |
| Heliconius formosus.
Tithorea penthias. | |
| Guatemala | Heliconius telchina.
Melinaea imitata. |
In the Upper Amazon region—
| Heliconius pardalinus.
Melinaea pardalis. | ||
| Heliconius aurora.
Melinaea lucifer. |
In New Grenada—
| Heliconius ismenius.
Melinaea messatis. | ||
| Heliconius messene.
Melinaea mesenina. (?) Mechanitis sp. | ||
| Heliconius hecalesia.
Tithorea hecalesina. | ||
| Heliconius hecuba.
Tithorea bonplandi. |
