A genus of tropical butterflies in the Heliconiidae family, known for colorful wings and unusual behaviors.
Latin genus name derived from heliconia. Named scientifically after the plant genus, continuing the Helicon/Muse connection.
Heliconius butterflies farm aphids like ranchers farm cattle—they protect certain aphid colonies and 'milk' them for nutritious secretions, and some species even carry aphid eggs on their bodies to establish new herds, showing insect agriculture!
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