Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Syn: charitonia, see Brower (1994)
Explanation of Names
Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus 1767)
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. (Strays to CA-CO-NY) / W. Indies / Mex. to C. Amer. (
MPG), BOA
Habitat
Tropical hammocks and edges of river forests.
(1)Season
year round in s FL and s TX (
MPG)
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.
Print References
Opler, pp. 233-234, plate 19.
(1)
Brower, A.V.Z. 1994. The case of the missing h:
Heliconius charithonia (L., 1767), not "
Heliconius charitonia (L., 1767)." Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 48(2): 166-168. (
PDF)
Internet References
The Royal Society. Pollen feeding in the butterfly
Heliconius charitonia.
