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Tiger Longwing

Heliconius hecale

The Tiger Longwing is a beautiful butterfly with bright orange and black wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in gardens and forests.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Tiger Longwing has long, narrow wings, typically black with vibrant yellow, orange, or red bands and spots. Its unique wing shape and striking color patterns serve as a clear warning to predators, making it visually distinct.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusHeliconius
Tiger Longwing
striped trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Tiger Longwing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby Tiger Longwings (caterpillars) munch on super poisonous passionflower leaves!

Male Tiger Longwings guard female cocoons, waiting for them to hatch!

These clever butterflies can remember their favorite flower patches for weeks!

They fly slowly, knowing their bright colors warn predators!

Special abilities

Ability

Toxic Taste

Tiger Longwing can make itself taste bad by eating poisonous plants, which helps it avoid bird predators.

Ability

Pollen Power-up

Tiger Longwing has a unique tummy to digest pollen, which helps them live much longer than most butterflies.

Ability

Warning Copycat

Tiger Longwing can look like other toxic butterflies, which helps them all stay safe from predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
70-100 mm
Size
35-50 mm
Lifespan
60-180 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Tiger Longwings feast on nectar and pollen, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Age differences: Larvae eat passionflower leaves; adults consume nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar (various flowers)
  • Pollen (Passiflora)
  • Pollen (Psiguria)
  • Passionflower leaves (larvae)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Maypop Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Its larvae feed on the toxic leaves for defense.

pollinates

Red Psiguria

Psiguria umbrosa

The butterfly collects pollen and nectar from its flowers.

symbiotic with

Red Postman

Heliconius erato

They share warning colors in a mimicry ring, benefiting each other.

eaten by

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

A generalist predator, though often deterred by toxicity.

Traits

Also known as

Golden LongwingHecale Longwing

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tiger Longwing's wingspan?

70-100 mm

How big is Tiger Longwing?

35-50 mm

How long does Tiger Longwing live?

60-180 days

How fast can Tiger Longwing fly?

15 km/h

What does Tiger Longwing eat?

Adult Tiger Longwings feast on nectar and pollen, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Where is Tiger Longwing usually found?

Forests

How does Tiger Longwing hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Tiger Longwing have?

6

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