Bugs series
Butterfly – Dido Longwing (Philaethria dido)
Nymphalidae · Central & South America
- Adapted from Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion
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The Dido Longwing is the largest member of the Heliconiinae, with a wingspan of up to 10 centimetres. It flies slowly and deliberately through Central and South American rainforests - a pace that reflects its confidence. It is toxic, and most predators already know it.
About this print
About this print
Long-winged and fast on the move, the Dido Longwing (Philaethria dido) is the largest member of the Heliconiinae and one of the most striking butterflies in the Neotropics. Its translucent green patches set against jet-black wing membranes give it an almost stained-glass quality as it soars through the mid-canopy of Central and South American forests.
Males spend much of their time high in the canopy, occasionally descending to drink from riverbanks or sandy beaches, while females fly lower to locate passionflower vines (Passiflora), laying single eggs on the undersides of leaves. The caterpillars are pale green with reddish spines and mimic bird droppings for camouflage. Adults feed at the flowers of trees and vines, flying in a fast, agile zigzag that flashes their translucent green markings in the light.
Despite their resemblance to the malachite butterfly, Dido Longwings belong to an earlier branch of the heliconiine lineage, distinct in both shape and behaviour. Sleek, vivid, and constantly in motion, they bring the visual rhythm of the rainforest canopy to life.
The Bugs series
The Bugs series
Bugs is a collection of natural history illustration prints drawn from the insect world - beetles, flies, bugs, butterflies, and moths selected for the strangeness, beauty, and variety of their forms.
Each illustration is adapted from Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion in 2017 and subsequently published in French and Chinese. The series draws on the tradition of scientific natural history illustration - precise, considered, and attentive to the details that make each species distinctive.
Insects account for the majority of all known animal species on Earth. This collection is a small survey of what that diversity looks like.
Paper and printing
Paper and printing
All prints are produced to order on 250gsm archival matte paper using pigment-based inks, chosen for colour accuracy and long-term stability.
Each print is rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in a rigid cardboard tube, sealed for moisture protection, ready for framing on arrival.
Dimensions
Dimensions
Large · 70 × 50 cm · 28 × 20 in
XLarge · 100 × 70 cm · 40 × 28 in
Delivery
Delivery
UK: Free · 3-5 working days
Europe: €8.50 · 3-7 working days · No customs charges
USA & Canada: $8.95 / $12.00 CAD · 5-10 working days
Australia: $14.00 AUD · 5-10 working days
Rest of World: £14.95 · 7-14 working days
All prints are produced to order and dispatched within 1-3 working days. Orders placed before 5pm GMT ship the same day. You'll receive tracking information by email once dispatched.
Orders outside Europe may be subject to local customs charges on delivery - these are the responsibility of the recipient.
Returns
Returns
Returns accepted within 30 days. Email returns@axisophy.com with your order number and we'll provide return instructions.
Return postage is the customer's responsibility except where the print arrives damaged or there's been an error - in which case we'll arrange a replacement or refund immediately, no return needed.