Heliconius charithonia.html |
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| Heliconius charithonia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 Zebra Longwing
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| Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus, 1767) |
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The Zebra Longwing Heliconius charithonia,12 (also known as the Zebra Heliconian) is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the Nymphalidae. It was declared the official butterfly of Florida (U.S.A.) in 1996.
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Distribution
The butterfly ranges over parts of North, Central and South America, as well as the West Indies.2 In North America the butterfly is found in the southern parts of the United States including Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina.1 In South and Central America, it has been recorded in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.12
Life History
The caterpillar feeds on Passiflora lutea, (yellow passionflower), Passiflora suberosa (corky stemmed passionvine), and Passiflora biflora (two-flower). The adults are unusual among butterflies in that they eat pollen as well as sipping nectar. This ability contributes to their longevity -- 3 months as an adult.3 Because of their relatively long lifespan and their activity throughout the day, this is a popular species with butterfly houses. Another unusual feature is that adults roost in groups of up to 70, and return to the same roost each evening.
Taxonomic note
In some publications the butterfly is referred to as Heliconius charitonius, but this is either a lapsus calami or unjustified emmendation of the original name given by Linnaeus in 1767, Papilio charithonia. Cramer in 1777 was apparently the first to publish this incorrect name. Godman & Salvin in 1901 referred to the species as H. charithonie sic.
Gallery
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Zebra longwing at Boone Hall, SC |
 Heliconius charithonius |
 Zebra heliconian hangs on during a wind gust |
 A Zebra Longwing caterpillar |
 Close up |
 Adult resting on a flower |
Cited references
- ^ a b c Card for charithonia in LepIndex. Accessed 3 August 2007.
- ^ a b c Marrku Savela's Website on Lepidoptera on Heliconius genus.
- ^ Scott, JA. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press
External links
- Heliconius charitonius on BugGuide.net
- Heliconius charitonius and other Heliconius butterfly photos
- Photo album of just Heliconius charitonius on WebShots
- zebra longwing on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site