Live Batesian Mimic specimens WANTED

I doubt that you will be able to obtain live specimens of these species to order for the date of your choosing for several reasons.

Firstly they would have to be sent to you as pupae and there is no guarantee that they would hatch when you want them, never mind the issue of transport during the current pandemic.

The next problem is that many such species are seasonal, and often the model and mimic don't actually fly at exactly the same time. In many mimicry situations the model emerges several weeks before the much rarer mimic so that by the time the mimic species emerges the local predators have already learnt to avoid that particular colour pattern.

On top of that, I really doubt that anyone is breeding Delias nigrina and since it is almost impossible to export live insects from Australia you couldn't obtain them anyway.

Sorry to sound so negative but there are other alternative examples of Batesian mimicry in butterflies that would be easier to obtain, such as Papilio polytes female and the model, Pachliopta aristolochiae.

Adam.

Many thanks, Adam and Paul.
Yes, we have been in regular contact with many breeders in the UK, we're just exploring further avenues as well.
Adam, you mentione Papilio polytes and Pachliopta aristolochiae, did you know a breeder/supplier?
Thanks once again,
Guthrie