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 529 - 552 of 896 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 13, 2014
Submitted by: putterflutters
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 28, 2014
Observation date: Nov 03, 2013
Submitted by: Terry W. Johnson
Region: Monroe County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Feb 14, 2014
Observation date: Oct 01, 2013
Submitted by: giardini57
Region: Elbert County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 05, 2014
Observation date: Dec 04, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 06, 2013
Observation date: Mar 09, 2013
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 03, 2013
Observation date: Nov 17, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 22, 2013
Observation date: Nov 22, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 22, 2013
Observation date: Oct 26, 2013
Submitted by: wildman
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 20, 2013
Observation date: Oct 18, 2013
Submitted by: BethAnn1952
Region: Mobile County, Alabama, United States
Verified by: vitaly charny
Verified date: Nov 17, 2013
Observation date: Nov 07, 2013
Submitted by: judygarrett
Region: Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: harrylegrand
Verified date: Nov 17, 2013
Observation date: Nov 10, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 15, 2013
Observation date: Nov 04, 2013
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Nov 11, 2013
Observation date: Nov 11, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 11, 2013
Observation date: Nov 09, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 11, 2013
Observation date: Oct 31, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 07, 2013
Observation date: Nov 01, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 07, 2013
Observation date: Oct 13, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 07, 2013
Observation date: Nov 06, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 07, 2013
Observation date: Sep 14, 2013
Submitted by: Lofty0913
Region: Nassau County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 30, 2013
Observation date: Oct 17, 2013
Submitted by: Kimberly Mrozinski
Region: Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 19, 2013
Observation date: Sep 11, 2013
Submitted by: harttwins
Region: Harnett County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: harrylegrand
Verified date: Oct 18, 2013
Observation date: Oct 12, 2013
Submitted by: mdanaher
Region: Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 15, 2013
Observation date: Oct 02, 2013
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 12, 2013
Observation date: Sep 29, 2013
Submitted by: Kimberly Mrozinski
Region: Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 08, 2013
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