Anna's Eighty-Eight vs Small Postman
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Anna's Eighty-Eight | Small Postman |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diaethria anna | Heliconius erato |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 55-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru | South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Anna's Eighty-Eight
A small neotropical butterfly with bright blue-green upper wings and a striking black-and-white numeral pattern underneath. It is closely related to Cramer's eighty-eight.
Did You Know?
Despite being named for the number pattern, many individuals actually display patterns closer to '89' than '88.'
Small Postman
A neotropical butterfly with black wings and vivid red, yellow, or white bands depending on the geographic race. It is a classic example of Mullerian mimicry.
Did You Know?
This butterfly and its co-mimic Heliconius melpomene have become one of the most important model systems for studying the genetics of adaptation.