Polymnia Tigerwing (Mechanitis polymnia)

OTHER NAMES: Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing, Tiger Clearwing
Latin Etymology: Mechanitis ("machine like, for their metallic chrysalis) polymnia (a Muse)

Polymnia Tigerwing (Mechanitis polymnia) at  at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Mechanitis polymnia isthmia
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 65-75mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A widely distributed species from Mexico to the Amazon with the larvar feeding on plants from the solanum family. As with other members of their genus, they have distinctive metallic chrysalises.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Mechanitis
SUBSPECIES: M. p. polymnia, M. p. isthmia, M. p. chimborazona, M. p. lycidice, M. p. veritabilis, M. p. dorissides, M. p. casabranca, M. p. eurydice, M. p. caucaensis, M. p. werneri, M. p. angustifascia, M. p. apicenotata, M. p. mauensis, M. p. proceriformis, M. p. bolivarensis, M. p. kayei  

- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

A fairly common and widespread species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto