Tiger Longwing

Tiger Longwing Subspecies Metaphorus | Heliconius ismenius | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Tiger Longwing butterfly Subspecies Clarescens with wings open. Butterfly is orange at the center of the butterfly and black with white spots near the wing tips

Tiger Longwing Subspecies Clarescens | Heliconius ismenius | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Tiger Longwing butterfly Subspecies Telchinia with wings closed. Butterfly is brown/black with large orange stripes and white spots near the wing tips

Tiger Longwing Subspecies Telchinia | Heliconius ismenius | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Tiger Longwing butterfly Subspecies Telchinia with wings open. Butterfly is black with orange stripes fanning out from the center and cream-colored spots near the wing tips

Tiger Longwing Subspecies Telchinia | Heliconius ismenius | Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Brown chrysalis with texture and coloring that gives it a dried leaf-like appearance hanging from a plant stem

Tiger Longwing, Heliconius ismenius, chrysalis. Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

Common Name: Tiger Longwing
Scientific Name: Heliconius ismenius
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Tribe: Heliconiini
Wingspan: 2.5 to 3.6 in
Place of origin: Central & South America

Butterflies in the exhibit are raised on butterfly farms around the world. This form of sustainable agriculture helps protect natural forest habitats from destruction and promote local economic growth.

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