Red postman (Heliconia erato), Puerto Morelos, Yucatan, Mexico
The red patches are warning signals to potential predators that this species is foul-tasting. Males have the curious ability to pass on anti-aphrodisiacs to the females they mate with, presumably to ensure that their genes survive, rather than those of males who encounter the female thereafter. Distributed from southern Texas to northern Argentina.
150219 192
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All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer
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Red postman (Heliconia erato), Puerto Morelos, Yucatan, Mexico
The red patches are warning signals to potential predators that this species is foul-tasting. Males have the curious ability to pass on anti-aphrodisiacs to the females they mate with, presumably to ensure that their genes survive, rather than those of males who encounter the female thereafter. Distributed from southern Texas to northern Argentina.
150219 192
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All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer
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