Zebra Heliconian
Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus, 1767)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Wings long and narrow; black with narrow yellow stripes.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 4 inches (7 - 10.1 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females, and are also attracted to female chrysalids. A male will wait on the chrysalis and mate with the female as she is about to emerge. He then deposits on her abdomen a chemical than repels other males. Eggs are laid in groups of 5-15 on leaf buds or leaves of the host plant; caterpillars feed at night on leaves. Adults roost communally in groups of 25-30 individuals.
Flight: All year in South Texas and southern Florida, wanders north during warmer months.
Caterpillar Hosts: Passion-vines including Passiflora suberosa, P. lutea, and P. affinis.
Adult Food: Flower nectar and pollen, which are gathered on a set foraging route or "trap-line". Favorite plants include lantana and shepherd's needle.
Habitat: Tropical hammocks, moist forests, edges, fields.
Range: South America north through Central America, West Indies, and Mexico to South Texas and peninsular Florida. Occasional immigrant north to New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Carolina.
Conservation: Not usually required, but habitat for permanent populations is limited in South Texas.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Maintain habitat and host plant colonies.
Taxonomy Notes: Also called the Zebra Longwing.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Heliconius charithonius
Heliconius charitonius
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 337 - 360 of 892 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 11, 2018
Submitted by: cjwcat
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 11, 2018
Observation date: Aug 26, 2018
Submitted by: ajvw2016
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 27, 2018
Observation date: Aug 26, 2018
Submitted by: Papillon
Region: Citrus County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 27, 2018
Observation date: Aug 16, 2018
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 21, 2018
Observation date: Aug 03, 2018
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 21, 2018
Observation date: Oct 25, 2017
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 14, 2018
Observation date: Aug 09, 2018
Submitted by: Christine Mooney
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 14, 2018
Observation date: Jul 27, 2018
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 05, 2018
Observation date: May 06, 2018
Submitted by: Frankca
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 05, 2018
Observation date: Jul 27, 2018
Submitted by: Weezie
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 01, 2018
Observation date: Jul 31, 2018
Submitted by: Orionbaby01
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 01, 2018
Observation date: Jul 06, 2018
Submitted by: Ctrxtn
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 30, 2018
Observation date: Jul 18, 2018
Submitted by: lazycj
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 30, 2018
Observation date: Jul 18, 2018
Submitted by: lilkriskattn
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 24, 2018
Observation date: Jul 10, 2018
Submitted by: Jrock-kodama
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 20, 2018
Observation date: Jul 19, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 20, 2018
Observation date: Jun 27, 2018
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 29, 2018
Observation date: Jun 23, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 23, 2018
Observation date: Jun 23, 2018
Submitted by: ReggieGal
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 23, 2018
Observation date: Jun 04, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 07, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 12, 2018
Submitted by: Corkystem Passi...
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 13, 2018
Submitted by: Corkystem Passi...
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 15, 2018
Submitted by: Corkystem Passi...
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
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