Heliconius Hecale Longwing vs Banded Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Heliconius Hecale Longwing Banded Hairstreak
Scientific Name Heliconius hecale Satyrium calanus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 70-85 mm wingspan 25-32 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil) Eastern United States and southeastern Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Heliconius Hecale Longwing

A large Heliconius butterfly with black wings marked by broad orange and yellow patches. It is one of the most widespread species in the genus and is a participant in multiple mimicry rings. Adults are unusually long-lived for butterflies, surviving up to six months.

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Did You Know?

It forms communal roosts of up to 30 individuals that return to the same branch every evening, providing safety in numbers.

Banded Hairstreak

A small dark brown butterfly with conspicuous bands of white-edged dark dashes on its hindwing underside. It has a short thin tail and a small orange spot near the tail.

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Did You Know?

It rubs its hindwings together after landing, moving the tails to mimic antennae and trick predators into attacking the wrong end.