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 1 - 24 of 867 verified sightings
Observation date: Nov 14, 2024
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 14, 2024
Observation date: Sep 29, 2024
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Sep 30, 2024
Observation date: Sep 30, 2024
Submitted by: Tara Evans
Region: Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Sep 30, 2024
Observation date: Dec 20, 2021
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 15, 2024
Observation date: Aug 16, 2024
Submitted by: kdegeiso
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 04, 2024
Observation date: Aug 29, 2024
Submitted by: theskyeworld
Region: Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 29, 2024
Observation date: Aug 11, 2024
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
Observation date: Aug 10, 2024
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 10, 2024
Observation date: Jul 26, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2024
Observation date: Jun 23, 2024
Submitted by: JKHatfield
Region: Texas, Lubbock County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jun 24, 2024
Observation date: Apr 05, 2024
Submitted by: rkw9000
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 03, 2024
Observation date: Apr 14, 2024
Submitted by: jthompson6112
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 21, 2024
Observation date: Feb 04, 2024
Submitted by: islandgyal
Region: The Bahamas
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 10, 2024
Observation date: Nov 15, 2023
Submitted by: fionaortiz
Region: Oaxaca, Mexico
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 10, 2024
Observation date: Feb 23, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 10, 2024
Observation date: Mar 19, 2024
Submitted by: therapypetz
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 20, 2024
Observation date: Mar 10, 2024
Submitted by: Mohr824
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 17, 2005
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Marion County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Mar 02, 2024
Observation date: Mar 29, 2006
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Harris County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Mar 02, 2024
Observation date: Jun 02, 2008
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Shelby County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Mar 02, 2024
Observation date: Sep 10, 2010
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Cook County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Mar 02, 2024
Observation date: Oct 16, 2023
Submitted by: Cbug159
Region: Effingham County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Mar 02, 2024
Observation date: Nov 20, 2023
Submitted by: Janet Ruth
Region: Jamaica
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Dec 12, 2023
Observation date: Nov 30, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 30, 2023
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