The Tiger Longwing, Heliconius hecale

Tiger Longwings occur throughout Central America and continue into South America to the Amazon.

The forewings are black, with a large orange area where the wings attach to the body and tips covered in white spots. The hindwings are orange with black tips and light brown top edges. The dorsal and ventral wing surfaces look the same.

Along their dorsal surface, caterpillars are white with numerous black spines, while their ventral surface is greenish-orange. Caterpillars mostly feed on passion vine (Passifloraceae).

Click here to go back to Butterflies Main Page >