Tigerwing Butterflies various genera

Tigerwings are several genera taking different forms, generally with orange, black and off-white combinations, native typically from southern US through Central America to South America.
Some are called Clearwings, leading to some confusion with the glasswing-type butterflies with clear wings, also called Clearwings.
Since they are toxic, many are mimicked by Longwings, especially the Numata and Hecale Longwings; several are similar to the Ismenius/Isabella Tiger Longwings or mimic each other and many are difficult for the non-expert to identify with precision. Some have beautiful, metallic chrysalides.

Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly
Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly
Harmonia Tigerwing
The Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly, Tithorea harmonia, above left, is native from Mexico through Central America to South America. It has many subspecies over its range. The topside, not shown, is mainly orange with black tiger stripes. Above centre and right may also be the Harmonia or may even be its Hecale longwing mimic. Since it is toxic, it has many mimics.
Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly chrysalis
Harmonia Tigerwing chrysalis
Harmonia Tigerwing chrysalis
The beautiful golden chrysalides of the Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly, like jewels.
Harmonia Tigerwing chrysalis Butterfly has emerged.
Harmonia Tigerwings emerged from chrysalides Butterflies emerged.
Tigerwing mimic A tigerwing mimic butterfly.
Cream-spotted Tigerwing Butterfly
Hecale Longwing Butterfly
Crimson Patch Butterfly
The Cream-spotted Tigerwing Butterfly (above left), Tithorea tarricina, is native from Mexico through Central America to South America. It has several subspecies. It is mimicked by the Hecale Longwing (above centre), Heliconius hecale. It has extra white spots around the edge of the forewing, fewer spots on the rest of the forewing and a less long wing shape. Other butterflies, such as the Crimson Patch (above right), Chlosyne janais, which is also native from Mexico through to South America, bear a passing resemblance.
Cream-spotted Tigerwing Butterfly chrysalis
Cream-spotted Tigerwing Butterfly chrysalis
The chrysalis of the Cream-spotted Tigerwing, above, is a beautiful, metallic golden green.
Harmonia Tigerwing Butterfly chrysalis
This may also be a Harmonia Tigerwing chrysalis.
Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly
Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly
The Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly, Mechanitis polymnia, is orange and spotted but not orange-spotted. It is also called the Disturbed Tigerwing. It looks similar to the Numata Longwing (which mimics it) with white spots around the trailing edges. It also resembles other Mechanitis species and has several subspecies. It is native from Mexico through to Brazil.
Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly chrysalis
Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly chrysalides
Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly chrysalis
The Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing also has a beautiful, metallic silver chrysalis. In the centre image above, one of the two chrysalides shows the butterfly wing prior to emerging.
Tigerwing Butterfly
Tigerwing Butterfly
Tigerwing Butterflies
This butterfly above and below is one of the Tigerwing (Mechanitis) species, most of which are variable and have several subspecies. It could be Mechanitis menapis, the Variable or Menapis Tigerwing, another Mechanitis polymnia, the Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing or Disturbed Tigerwing shown further above, or Mechanitis lysimnia, the Lysimnia or Confused Tigerwing (or even a Numata Longwing form). In fact the whole subject of Tigerwings/Clearwings leaves us non-experts confused. All are native to the middle Americas.
Tigerwing Butterfly
Tigerwing Butterfly
Tigerwing Butterfly