Hecale Longwing Form 2 Heliconius hecale

The Hecale Longwing Butterfly, one of the Heliconian or Longwing family, is native from Mexico through Central America to northern South America. It has some 25-30 subspecies, all mimicking toxic orange and black butterflies flying over the same range to avoid predation. Above is one of the most common subspecies: zuleika.

Another Hecale subspecies or form has a dark topside . . .

. . . and dark orange striped underside.

Hybrids also exist.