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 481 - 504 of 893 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 17, 2015
Submitted by: Rick Newman
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 28, 2015
Observation date: Oct 20, 2013
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: McIntosh County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jun 23, 2015
Observation date: Apr 28, 2015
Submitted by: Ellen Mee
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 15, 2015
Observation date: May 31, 2015
Submitted by: ReXeR
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 02, 2015
Observation date: May 23, 2015
Submitted by: Robalero
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 23, 2015
Observation date: May 02, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: Apr 30, 2015
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: Apr 29, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: May 02, 2015
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: Apr 18, 2015
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 23, 2015
Observation date: Oct 04, 2014
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 23, 2015
Observation date: Apr 21, 2015
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 23, 2015
Observation date: Mar 15, 2015
Submitted by: snakeowl
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 22, 2015
Observation date: Nov 12, 2014
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 22, 2015
Observation date: Aug 11, 2014
Submitted by: redbirds
Region: Pierce County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Apr 06, 2015
Observation date: Mar 15, 2015
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: M. Reith
Verified date: Apr 06, 2015
Observation date: Mar 12, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 15, 2015
Observation date: Jan 25, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Tavares
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 13, 2015
Observation date: Jan 22, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 13, 2015
Observation date: Oct 09, 2014
Submitted by: KristyBaker
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 27, 2014
Observation date: Nov 24, 2014
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 22, 2014
Observation date: Nov 08, 2014
Submitted by: Kurt R. Schwarz
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 22, 2014
Observation date: Sep 12, 2014
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 29, 2014
Observation date: Sep 26, 2014
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 29, 2014
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