Hewitson's Longwing
Common NameHewitson's Longwing
Scientific NameHeliconius hewitsoni
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)70
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsblack, white, red
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges
Geographic RangeCentral America (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama) and northern South America (e.g., Colombia, Ecuador)
Host PlantsPassiflora species
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLike other Heliconius, eggs are laid on Passiflora vines. Larvae are spiny and feed on the leaves, while adults are long-lived and known for their ability to digest pollen for additional nutrients.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its black wings with prominent white bands and the distinctive red basal patch on the forewing. Its elongated wing shape is typical of the Heliconius genus.
Description
A striking butterfly with elongated black wings featuring broad white bands across both forewings and hindwings, complemented by a vibrant red patch at the base of the forewing.
