Antiochus Longwing
Common NameAntiochus Longwing
Scientific NameHeliconius antiochus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)65
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsblack, white, red, blue
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, clearings
Geographic RangeCentral America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana)
Host PlantsPassiflora spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round in its tropical range
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on young leaves of passion-vine host plants. Larvae are spiny and feed on the leaves, while adults are known to feed on both nectar and pollen, a unique trait among butterflies.
Identification TipsLook for the combination of the broad white/blue forewing band and the red hindwing costal streak on a black background. The specific pattern helps distinguish it from other similar Heliconius species.
Description
This butterfly has black wings with a prominent broad white or pale blue band across the forewing and a distinctive red streak along the costa (leading edge) of the hindwing.
