Zebra Longwing
Heliconius charitonius
Description 3-3 3/8" (76-78 mm). Wings long and narrow. Jet-black above, banded with lemon-yellow (sometimes pale yellow). Beneath similar; bases of wings have crimson spots.
Life Cycle Eggs yellow, 3/64 h x 7/256" w (1.2 x 0.7 mm). Caterpillar, to 1 5/8" (41 mm), white; 6 dark-patched rows of black, branched spines. Feeds on passion flowers (Passiflora). Mottled brown chrysalis, to 1 1/8" (28 mm), has metallic spots on sides; spiny.
Flight Multiple broods; year-round in Florida, except when colder weather occurs.
Habitat Hammocks, thick woods, and forest edges.
Range Resident from Texas to South Carolina, south through West Indies and Latin America, wandering to S. California, Great Basin, Colorado, and Great Plains.
Discussion Completely distinctive, the Zebra Longwing does not at all resemble the Zebra Swallowtail. The Zebra's usual flight is slow, feeble, and wafting, although it is able to dart quickly to shelter. Zebra Longwings roost communally at night, assembling at dusk. Hammocks and thickets throughout Everglades National Park are good places to see gatherings of these butterflies.
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