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 217 - 240 of 886 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 14, 2020
Submitted by: wtjones
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 07, 2020
Observation date: Jun 28, 2020
Submitted by: GinaT
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 01, 2020
Observation date: Jun 29, 2020
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 30, 2020
Observation date: Jun 20, 2020
Submitted by: eroutside
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 20, 2020
Observation date: Jun 18, 2020
Submitted by: Wil
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 18, 2020
Observation date: Aug 02, 2019
Submitted by: Moobamoo
Region: Clay County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 17, 2020
Observation date: Jun 13, 2020
Submitted by: Wil
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 13, 2020
Observation date: Jun 13, 2020
Submitted by: Wil
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 13, 2020
Observation date: Jun 07, 2020
Submitted by: Kmllivin2dive
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 08, 2020
Observation date: May 29, 2020
Submitted by: robertnhahn
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 29, 2020
Observation date: May 21, 2020
Submitted by: pegreinhart
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2020
Observation date: Sep 10, 2016
Submitted by: mouser
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2020
Observation date: May 01, 2020
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 02, 2020
Observation date: Apr 28, 2020
Submitted by: Elmstreet239
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 29, 2020
Observation date: Apr 27, 2020
Submitted by: Michael Weisensee
Region: Charlotte County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 27, 2020
Observation date: Apr 27, 2020
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 27, 2020
Observation date: Apr 22, 2020
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 22, 2020
Observation date: Mar 27, 2013
Submitted by: cobal2913
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2020
Observation date: Apr 08, 2020
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 08, 2020
Observation date: Apr 02, 2020
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 04, 2020
Observation date: Mar 23, 2020
Submitted by: Stan C
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 23, 2020
Observation date: Feb 27, 2020
Submitted by: RMarkows
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 29, 2020
Observation date: Feb 29, 2020
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 29, 2020
Observation date: Feb 17, 2020
Submitted by: Michael Weisensee
Region: Charlotte County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 23, 2020
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