About these Taxa
Observations
These medium-sized butterflies in tribe Heliconiini (longwings) can look very similar as they fly past you in the field. In the reserve, they are often found visiting the same flowers at the same time. However, the two species can be easily identified based on the markedly different colors and pattern on the undersurface of the wings (see images below). The pattern on the upper surface of the forewing varies (especially the black line that extends from the top to the bottom of the wing in Dryas iulia). However, in general, Dione juno has two black extensions on the upper forewing (e.g., one short extension and one line that goes from top to the bottom of the wing), while Dryas iulia has only one or no extension.
Dryas iulia (Julia heliconian, Julia butterfly).
Dione juno (Juno silverspot, Juno heliconian, Juno longwing).
Dione juno (left) and Dryas iulia (right) visiting the same flower.
[/box]
