Zebra Heliconian Butterfly

Description:

The Zebra Longwing butterfly or Zebra Heliconian, is unmistakable with its long narrow wings, which are striped black and pale yellow. Zebra Heliconian is the Florida State Butterfly.

Habitat:

Passiflora Suberosa/ Corkystem Passion Flower Vine is the most common of the four species of passion flower vines. Its blooms are smaller than a dime. It is the most used caterpillar food plant of the Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Heliconian and Julia Dryas Butterflies. I planted this vine in my backyard with the hope of recording the whole metamorphosis cycle and so far I have succeeded with my first Zebra Heliconian emerging from her chrysalis this morning. There are Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars in the same small vine and I see two chrysalises ready which butterflies should emerge over the weekend.

Notes:

An unusual feature of the longwing, or heliconian, butterflies is that the adults are relatively long lived. Most other butterflies live only a few weeks, but heliconians continue to live and to lay eggs for several months. Their tropical or semitropical habitat makes this possible; furthermore the feeding habits of the adults are important in prolonging their lives. The adults feed on nectar of flowers, like most other butterflies, but a special characteristic of heliconian butterflies is that they can also feed on pollen.