Dido Longwing
The Dido Longwing (Philaethria dido) is presented in this refined plate, its long, narrow wings marked by striking green, glassy patches against a bold black ground. This butterfly, sometimes called the scarce bamboo page, is found from Mexico to the Amazon basin and throughout much of Central and tropical South America. It is a classic inhabitant of wet neotropical rainforests, typically found at low to moderate elevations (up to 1200 metres), where it glides gracefully along edges and through sunlit forest clearings.
Philaethria dido is mostly encountered in the upper canopy — males often spending much of their time high above the forest floor, occasionally descending to sip mineral-rich moisture from riverbanks or sandy beaches. Females fly lower and can be seen dipping down to inspect passionflower vines (Passiflora), where they lay single eggs beneath leaves. The larva is pale green with reddish spines, its bird-dropping mimicry providing camouflage, while the adults feed at the flowers of trees and vines in the canopy. The flight is unmistakable — fast, agile, and often described as a zig-zag through dappled sunlight. Despite their visual resemblance to malachite butterflies, dido longwings have a very different wing shape and are part of a primitive heliconiine lineage.
This print uses the most recent Bugs illustration, rendered in generous landscape format with deep, true colours and sharp detail. Finished with the giclée process on heavyweight 250gsm archival matte paper, the artwork brings clarity, freshness, and the elegant geometry of the dido longwing to any space.
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.