common name: zebra longwing
scientific name: Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Introduction - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle - Hosts - Selected References

Introduction (Back to Top)

The zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus), was designated the state butterfly of Florida in 1996. A denizen of more forested settings, it frequents subtropical hammocks, forest margins, shrubby thickets, and adjacent open areas. It is a regular sight in many butterfly gardens and suburban yards and parks.

Figure 1. Adult zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus), with dorsal view of the wings. Photograph by Jaret C. Daniels, University of Florida.

Distribution (Back to Top)

The zebra longwing is a neotropical butterfly that occurs in extreme southern portions of the United States southward through Mexico, Central America and the West Indies to South America. Adults occasionally wander northward. It is locally common throughout peninsular Florida.

Description (Back to Top)

Adults: Zebra longwings are medium-sized butterflies with elongated wings. They cannot be confused with any other Florida butterfly. Adults have a wingspan range of 72 to 100 mm. The sexes are similar. The upper surface of the wings is black with several bold, narrow yellow stripes. The wings below have a similar pattern, but are paler in color and have several small red spots near the body.

Figure 2. Adult zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus), with ventral view of the wings. Photograph by Jaret C. Daniels, University of Florida.

Eggs: The yellow eggs are laid singly or in small clusters on new growth of the host plant.

Figure 3. Eggs of the zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus), on maypop (purple passionflower), Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloraceae). Photograph by Jaret C. Daniels, University of Florida.

Larvae: The mature larvae are white with black spots numerous black branched spines.

Figure 4. Mature larva of the zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus), on corkystem passionflower, Passiflora suberosa L. (Passifloraceae). Photograph by Jaret C. Daniels, University of Florida.

Pupae: The pupae are brown and have two long flanges off the head.

Life Cycle (Back to Top)

The zebra longwing produces multiple generations each year. Adults may be found in all months of the year throughout much of central and southern portions of Florida. Adults have slow, relaxed flight. Females lay the small yellow eggs singly or in small clusters on terminal leaves and trendrils of the host plants.

Adult zebra longwing butterflies feed on both flower nectar and pollen. The additional nutrients from the pollen enable individuals to survive for several months, far exceeding the normal two to four week adult life span of most other butterflies. Adult individuals often form small communal roosts at night.

Hosts (Back to Top)

Common hosts are purple passionflower, Passiflora incarnata L.; corkystem passionflower, Passiflora suberosa L.; yellow passionflower Passiflora lutea L.; and several other passionflower vines.

Figure 5. Purple passionflower, Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloracaea), a host of the zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (Linneaus). Photograph by Jaret C. Daniels, University of Florida.

Selected References (Back to Top)

• Cech R, Tudor G. Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide. 2005. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 345 pp.
• Daniels JC. Butterflies of Florida Field Guide. 2003. Adventure Publications, Cambridge, MN. 250 pp.
• Daniels JC. 2000. Butterflies 1: Butterflies of the Southeast. UF/IFAS. Card Set. SP 273.
• Kimball CP. 1965. The Lepidoptera of Florida; an annotated checklist. Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas Vol. 1. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. 363 pp.
• Medley JC, Fasulo TR. (1998). Florida Butterfly Tutorials. University of Florida/IFAS. CD-ROM. SW 155.
• Minno MC, Butler JF, Hall DW. 2005. Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. 341 pp.
• Minno MC, Emmel TC. 1993. Butterflies of the Florida Keys. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. 168 pp.