Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
charitonius
Identification
Adult: Black wings with narrow yellow stripes.
(1)
Caterpillar: White with fine transverse bands. Six rows of black spines.
(1)
Range
Peninsular Florida and south Texas. Periodic to midwest and coastal south.
(1)Habitat
Tropical hammocks and edges of river forests.
(1)Season
All year in Florida and Texas range.
(1)Food
Larvae feed on Passion-vines.
(1). Adults consume pollen in addition to nectar.
Remarks
Zebra Longwing butterflies roost gregariously, forming large clusters and often returning to the same roost night after night:
Adult males are attracted to female chrysalids just before they emerge.
(2) See below, and linked images, for an example:
The Zebra Longwing is the state butterfly of Florida.
See Also
No similar North American species.
Print References
Opler, pp. 233-234, plate 19.
(1)
Butterflies & Moths, p. 43
(2)
Brower, A.V.Z. 1994b. The case of the missing h: Heliconius charithonia (L., 1767), not "Heliconius charitonia (L., 1767)." Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 48(2):166-168.
Internet References
Butterflies and Moths of North America - includes range map with county records.
The Royal Society. Pollen feeding in the butterfly
Heliconius charitonia.
