Doris longwing butterflies may look very different from one another, but they all belong to the same species. Their bright colors send a warning that these butterflies are toxic or taste terrible, and each regional population has developed its own distinct pattern to make sure local predators get the message. Same species, different neighborhood, different message.

Male Great Mormons have dark wings with a subtle blue-green shimmer and scalloped edges. Some females mimic toxic butterfly species to warn predators away, while others don’t. This dramatic difference between males and females is called sexual dimorphism, and the additional variety among females is relatively rare in the butterfly world.