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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 457 - 480 of 892 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 16, 2016
Submitted by: lostpineslife
Region: Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 16, 2016
Observation date: Oct 06, 2016
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Gonzales County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 14, 2016
Observation date: Aug 25, 2016
Submitted by: CGBGgardenguru
Region: Chatham County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 20, 2016
Observation date: Aug 25, 2016
Submitted by: Nondaywalker
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 02, 2016
Observation date: Aug 17, 2016
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 20, 2016
Observation date: May 19, 2016
Submitted by: John LeBlanc
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 31, 2016
Observation date: May 20, 2016
Submitted by: beckerla
Region: Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 20, 2016
Observation date: Nov 04, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 06, 2016
Observation date: Mar 31, 2016
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Apr 06, 2016
Observation date: Mar 26, 2016
Submitted by: dlkriensky
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 29, 2016
Observation date: Dec 13, 2015
Submitted by: Wasil_Khan
Region: Jasper County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Dec 13, 2015
Observation date: Dec 01, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 08, 2015
Observation date: Nov 07, 2015
Submitted by: pspollard
Region: Calhoun County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 03, 2015
Observation date: Nov 10, 2015
Submitted by: grosenberry
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 03, 2015
Observation date: Nov 14, 2015
Submitted by: tysonbartlett55
Region: Colorado County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 19, 2015
Observation date: Sep 26, 2015
Submitted by: Laurie Sheppard
Region: Grayson County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 17, 2015
Observation date: Sep 22, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 07, 2015
Observation date: Sep 17, 2015
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Leon County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 21, 2015
Observation date: Jun 22, 2015
Submitted by: harmons2
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 14, 2015
Observation date: Aug 16, 2014
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Texas, Williamson County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 09, 2015
Observation date: Aug 29, 2015
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 29, 2015
Observation date: Feb 07, 2015
Submitted by: Ron Smith
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 26, 2015
Observation date: Jul 15, 2015
Submitted by: LABRADOG
Region: Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 19, 2015
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
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