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| Zebra Longwing |
Latin
Name: Heliconius charitonius |
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Genus: Heliconius Species: charitonius |
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Comments: |
| The Zebra Longwing is the state butterfly of Florida. Aptly named, it is quickly identified by the yellow-white stripes and extremely elongated wings. It rarely spends long periods of time in open, sunny locations but is an abundant visitor to shadier gardens and yards. Adults have slow, graceful flight, and adeptly maneuver through dense vegetation. A member of a primarily tropical genus, it cannot endure prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. Adults are extremely long-lived and may survive for several months. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
yellow, laid in small groups on new growth and tendrils of host |
Larva: |
white with small black spots and numerous long black spines |
Host Plants: |
Various Passion-Flowers including Maypop, Corky-Stemmed Passion-Flower and Yellow Passion-Flower |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Various Passion-Flowers including Maypop, Corky-Stemmed Passion-Flower and Yellow Passion-Flower |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
gardens, woodlands, hammocks, forest edges and adjacent open, disturbed areas |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
2.9 - 3.5 |
Centimeters: |
7.4 - 8.9 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
unique |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- elongated black wings with pale yellow stripes
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Below:
- as above with small red basal spots
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
