FIGURE 35 in Alternative facts: a reconsideration of putatively natural interspecific hybrid specimens in the genus Heliconius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

FIGURE 35. Hybrid #20 (dorsal, ventral). Colombia: Meta, Cubarral, 03°47'43"N, 73°50'36"W, 800 m., 31 Dec. 1979, leg. E. Schmidt-Mumm (same data as #19?), (IAvH). Another specimen interpreted by Mallet et al. (2007) as a H. melpomene melpomene (Fig. 6) x H. ethilla nr. metalilis (Fig. 30) F1 backcross to H. ethilla. The reddish basal spot in CU2 of HWV is diagnostic of H. ethilla. Note significant differences in multiple pattern elements between this specimen and #19, including presence vs. absence of HW marginal white spots, pattern of black spots on FW, etc. The reddish brown/yellow interface of the distal forewing band separated by a line of black scales is vaguely reminiscent of the forewing pattern of H. heurippa (Fig. 148), but the angle of the bands across the wing is quite different. The sharp distal boundary of the FW yellow bar with reddish brown (not red, as in H. melpomene) scales beyond it is suggestive of a hybrid phenotype. However, there is once again a potential mislabeling problem, as reported by K. Willmott (see Hybrid #14).