Tithorea are large butterflies. They often fly in sunny glades where they are easily confused with Heliconius species such as ismenius, numata or hecale. The easiest way to distinguish Tithorea from their mimics is to examine the antennae and legs.
Tithorea antennae are very gradually tapered, cream colored, and drooping. In Pieridae they are parallel along the stalk with a strongly clubbed tip, while in Papilionidae the tip is clubbed and recurved.
Ithomiines, Heliconiines and Nymphalines have only 2 pairs of functioning legs. In the Ithomiines, these are long, giving the impression of a butterfly on stilts. Papilionidae and Pieridae have 3 pairs of functioning legs.
Tithorea harmonia is one of the commonest and most widespread of the toxic "tiger" species found from Mexico to the southern Amazon. There are 26 named subspecies.
Tithorea harmonia, Harmonia Tiger-wing or Harmonia Tiger
Nymphalidae
Odontonema strictum, Acanthaceae
Firespike, Cardinal Guard, Scarlet Flame
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