Ismenius tiger
Common NameIsmenius tiger
Scientific NameHeliconius ismenius
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, clearings, secondary growth
Geographic RangeCentral America (Mexico to Panama) and northern South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru)
Host PlantsPassiflora spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical climates
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed exclusively on passionflower (Passiflora) vines, sequestering toxins that render both the caterpillars and adult butterflies unpalatable to predators, a classic example of aposematism.
Identification TipsLook for the broad orange stripes on black wings, combined with the specific arrangement of white spots on the forewing tips, which helps distinguish it from other Heliconius species and its mimics.
Description
This butterfly features prominent orange bands on a black background across both forewings and hindwings, with a distinctive pattern of white spots near the apex of the forewings.
