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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 409 - 432 of 892 verified sightings
Observation date: Jan 31, 2017
Submitted by: Kathy Brown
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 31, 2017
Observation date: Aug 26, 2017
Submitted by: TKinRock
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 31, 2017
Observation date: Aug 26, 2017
Submitted by: orange021ink
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 31, 2017
Observation date: Apr 08, 2016
Submitted by: satchmo0802
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 31, 2017
Observation date: Aug 30, 2017
Submitted by: Nancyjean Nettles
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 30, 2017
Observation date: Aug 23, 2017
Submitted by: Naenaelo
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 25, 2017
Observation date: Aug 19, 2017
Submitted by: John Demko
Region: Hampton County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 22, 2017
Observation date: Aug 09, 2017
Submitted by: Robin McQuay An...
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Jun 28, 2013
Submitted by: RobBuckButterflier
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Jul 07, 2017
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 24, 2017
Observation date: Jun 28, 2017
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 24, 2017
Observation date: Jul 08, 2017
Submitted by: NicholleM
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 16, 2017
Submitted by: lk3c
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 01, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 01, 2017
Observation date: Jun 03, 2017
Submitted by: Vegap2015
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 29, 2017
Observation date: Feb 07, 2013
Submitted by: Bennet
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: May 13, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 07, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 12, 2017
Submitted by: Jonny Mach
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 18, 2017
Submitted by: Lrsewell
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Apr 25, 2017
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 18, 2017
Observation date: Apr 29, 2017
Submitted by: John LeBlanc
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 09, 2017
Observation date: Apr 29, 2017
Submitted by: pam kanarr
Region: Manatee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 03, 2017
Observation date: Apr 07, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 12, 2017
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