Tickets
Area of zoo
Butterfly house
Enclosure status
Open
IUCN status
Least Concern
Scientific name
Heliconius melpomene
Order
Lepidoptera
Type
Invertebrates
Family
Nymphalidae
Region
Mexico
Habitat
Forests

Postman butterfly facts

  • The passion flower vines they eat as a caterpillar help them to store toxic chemicals they then retain for the rest of their lives as a deterrent from predators. 
  • This butterfly is poisonous and features red patterns on its wings as a warning to predators.

Postman butterfly identification 

The postman butterfly has large, long wings with an orange stripe down each forewing. Try our Spotter's Guide on your next visit:

London zoo butterfly identification guide showing differences in colour and shape of 15 butterflies.
Family inside a butterfly house
Postman butterfly wings closed on a leaf
Visit London Zoo's Butterfly Paradise

What do postman butterflies eat?

As caterpillars they’ll eat passion flower vines, while adults drink nectar and eat pollen.

Where do postman butterflies live?

Native to Mexico, this species can also be found living in Central and South America.

Postman butterfly habitat 

This species is associated with slow-flowing streams in pine or pine-oak forests. 

Postman butterfly threats

Habitat loss and pollution.

Our Butterfly House

Father and daughter looking at butterflies in butterfly house at London Zoo.
Explore our butterfly garden

Butterfly Paradise

Immerse yourself in Butterfly Paradise, and explore our tropical garden whilst butterflies from across the globe flutter above you.

Butterflies at the Zoo

Get closer to nature

  • Tiny Giants logo, with a clownfish, locust, coral and praying mantis illustration.
    Enter the world of Tiny Giants

    Tiny Giants

    Journey through the habitats of the planet’s smallest but mightiest animals

  • Sumatran tiger Asim in his Tiger Territory home
    Discover facts about our animals

    Animals

    Get closer to nature and meet our amazing animals, from tiny marching leafcutter ants to a giant 193kg silverback gorilla.

  • Two primary school students at London Zoo on a school trip
    Take your learning out of the classroom and into the wild

    Educational trips to London Zoo

    Everything you need to book an educational visit to the Zoo and inspire a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow..

  • Asiatic lion Bhanu at London Zoo
    Come and experience the magic of London Zoo

    Book Tickets

    Purchase your tickets online and discover more ways to enjoy the Zoo

  • Pygmy sloth clinging to a tree
    More than just a zoo...

    Conservation

    When you visit London Zoo, you’re doing great things with your great day out. We are more than just a zoo – we are part of ZSL, a global conservation charity.

  • Visit London Zoo
Animals in your inbox
From the first pitter patter of tiny feet to the biggest new arrivals, get all the latest zoo news straight into your inbox.
Sign up