Butterfly Specimens (IMAGE)

University of Chicago Medical Center

Butterfly Specimens

Caption

Males and females in some populations of the common palmfly butterfly resemble each other and mimic crow butterflies, but females in other populations are orange and mimic tiger butterflies. Ruttenberg et al. demonstrate that orange females have evolved repeatedly in different parts of tropical and subtropical Asia, and locate a putative genetic "mimicry switch" that determines female color form.

Credit

David Lohman

Usage Restrictions

May only be used for pieces covering this specific research story

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.