Heliconius melpomene meriana from French Guiana

[bixia22]

The Heliconius melpomene are my favorite butterfly (at the moment) from French Guiana. I have tried to collecte them over the last 2 years, and have only been able to get 15 of the meriana. I like these type because there is some many forms. I wanted someone to verify my ids, because I only have French books, and I don't read French, so I can only go by the pictures. And then when I look on line, there is more forms then whats in my book (Inventaire des Satyrinae de Guyane française [Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae] [Christian Brévignon] in Lépidoptères de Guyane – Tome 3 – Rhopalocères 2). If I post the picks, can some one verify the forms are right?

first one,

I think this one is form 'cybeleia'?

I have more (14 more), but will wait until I hear a reply

Thanks,

Troy

[jmg]

Yes, seems to be Heliconius melpomene meriana Turner 1967 form cybeleia Joicey & Kaye. Check with these pages :

cliniquevetodax.com/Heliconius/pages/melpomene%20meriana.html

www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/ih/heliconius1038_i.htm

[bixia22]

Thanks again, but is there something I am missing? How is cybeleia different that say fumigata or trimacula. All three have a small amount of yellow. I feel that some of the description in French is telling me, but again, I don't read French. Like on the cliniquevetodax web sight, it looks like it has form description on the right side in French.

[jmg]

Here are translations of the texts from the right column.

About fumigata form :

Zikan fumigata form: attached in fact to H. erato malafreda after examination of the back of the type.

About trimacula form :

Cybeleia forms Joicey & Kaye, negroida Joicey & Kaye, Neustetter lavinia, Neustetter trimacula and Möschler funebris (not shown): all these forms have atrophy of the yellow and red bands going towards the almost complete disappearance of these spots (funebris).

[bixia22]

thanks again, does not sound like I am missing much. I will post another one tonight.