Macrosoma hyacinthina vs Heliconius Hecale Longwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Macrosoma hyacinthina Heliconius Hecale Longwing
Scientific Name Macrosoma hyacinthina Heliconius hecale
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hedylidae Nymphalidae
Size 30-38 mm wingspan 70-85 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Underground
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Central America, South America South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Macrosoma hyacinthina

Small moth-butterfly with a subtle blue-violet sheen on fresh specimens. Named for the hyacinth-like coloring visible in certain light.

💡

Did You Know?

All 36 known hedylid species belong to the single genus Macrosoma, making it the smallest butterfly family.

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.

💡

Did You Know?

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