Longwing (Heliconius) butterflies combine a restricted set of pigmentary and structural coloration mechanisms
Abstract Background Longwing butterflies, Heliconius sp., also called heliconians, are striking examples of diversity and mimicry in butterflies.Heliconians feature strongly colored patterns on their wings, arising from operation igloo white wing scales colored by pigments and/or nanostructures, which serve as an aposematic signal.Results Here, we