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 193 - 216 of 886 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 05, 2020
Submitted by: JRoper
Region: Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 17, 2020
Observation date: Sep 12, 2020
Submitted by: Debo Boddiford
Region: Candler County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 16, 2020
Observation date: Sep 03, 2020
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Nassau County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 06, 2020
Observation date: Sep 04, 2020
Submitted by: Mike Lester
Region: Georgia, Warren County, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 04, 2020
Observation date: Aug 28, 2020
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 29, 2020
Observation date: Aug 22, 2020
Submitted by: Michael Weisensee
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 26, 2020
Observation date: Aug 17, 2020
Submitted by: Debo Boddiford
Region: Chatham County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Aug 24, 2020
Observation date: Oct 24, 2017
Submitted by: JerryGriggs
Region: Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 18, 2020
Observation date: Aug 15, 2020
Submitted by: winslow@appalac...
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 16, 2020
Observation date: Aug 23, 2007
Submitted by: cjbruchman
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Aug 15, 2020
Observation date: Aug 13, 2020
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 13, 2020
Observation date: Aug 08, 2020
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Texas, Uvalde County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 12, 2020
Observation date: Aug 06, 2020
Submitted by: Bonator
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Aug 10, 2020
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe (Donna Forsythe)
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Aug 09, 2020
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Dec 06, 2017
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Oct 25, 2017
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Sep 29, 2017
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Aug 30, 2017
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2020
Observation date: Aug 04, 2020
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 05, 2020
Observation date: Jul 28, 2020
Submitted by: JoyceSw
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 28, 2020
Observation date: Jul 16, 2020
Submitted by: Hollikay001
Region: Clay County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 26, 2020
Observation date: Jul 18, 2020
Submitted by: Stan C
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 20, 2020
Observation date: Jul 10, 2020
Submitted by: jwarme1084
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 13, 2020
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