Butterfly – Sapho Longwing (Heliconius sapho)
The Sapho Longwing (Heliconius sapho) appears here in a clean, bold illustration that highlights its deep indigo-black forewings and crisp white bands. Found from Mexico through Central America to north-western South America, this elegant species stands out for its calm flight and subtle, graphic beauty among the dense green of the rainforest.
Sapho longwings are most often seen gliding through forest clearings and along stream edges, where adults sometimes gather to roost together in the evening. With a wingspan of about eight centimetres, they are graceful and long-lived butterflies — some surviving for up to six months thanks to their unusual ability to feed on both nectar and pollen. Males are territorial, defending favoured perches while waiting for females.
The caterpillars feed communally on passion vines, forming bright yellow clusters that stand out against the leaves. Like other members of the Heliconius group, the adults emit a faint, sweet scent from abdominal glands, a natural deterrent to predators. This combination of delicate pattern, social behaviour, and striking longevity makes the Sapho Longwing a distinctive presence in the tropical Americas.
Bugs Series
Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.
Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.
Printing & Materials
Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.
Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.
Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.
All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.