Orange-banded Longwing
Common NameOrange-banded Longwing
Scientific NameHeliconius numata
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)80
Primary Colorsblack, orange, white, blue
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges, clearings
Geographic RangeCentral and South America (from Nicaragua south to Bolivia and Brazil)
Host PlantsPassiflora species
Flight PeriodYear-round
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are spiny and feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passifloraceae). Adults are long-lived and engage in pollen feeding, which contributes to their toxicity and participation in mimicry rings.
Identification TipsKey features include the broad orange band on the black forewing and the black hindwing with cream stripes and iridescent blue marginal spots. It is part of a complex mimicry ring, so specific hindwing pattern details are important for identification.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with elongated wings. The forewings are black with a prominent orange band, while the hindwings are black with cream-colored stripes and a series of iridescent blue spots along the margin.
