Zebra Longwings are poisonous and distasteful to vertebrate predators (Opler and Krizek 1984; Cech and Tudor 2005).
A favorite source of pollen in Florida and elsewhere in the Zebra Longwing's range is lantana (Lantana spp.); Shepherd's needle (Bidens pilosa) is also visited in Florida (Opler and Krizek 1984).
Male Zebra Longwings patrol for females and are attracted to female chrysalids, with whom they seek to mate at or near the time of emergence; after mating, the male deposits an "antiaphrodisiac" chemical onto the female's abdomen to deter matings with additional males (Cech and Tudor 2005). The typical flight pattern of the Zebra Longwing is slow and direct with very shallow, rapid wingbeats (Opler and Krizek 1984), although these butterflies are capable of faster flight when alarmed (Cech and Tudor 2005).
Each evening, Zebra Longwings gather to form communal sleeping roosts consisting of a few to several dozen individuals (Young and Thomason 1975; Cook et al. 1976).
The Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) is a primarily neotropical butterfly with a distribution that extends north through the Florida peninsula in the U.S. (it is Florida's official state butterfly), sometimes ranging farther north as well. It has long, rounded wings and a slender body. It is pitch black with bold, yellow stripes and small red dots close to the body (Cech and Tudor 2005).
Heliconius charitonius is found from the extreme southeastern United States and southernmost Texas south through the West Indies and Central America to Venezuela and Peru (Opler and Krizek 1984).
In Florida, the Zebra Longwing is found in subtropical hammocks (closed canopy forests, typically slightly higher in elevation than the surrounding area, that are dominated by a diverse assemblage of broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs, mostly of West Indian origin) and pine-oak woods, as well as in suburbs, parks, and even open fields if preferred flowers are available (Cech and Tudor 2005). Over must of its range to the south, this species is found in moist subtropical and tropical forests with sunlit openings (Opler and Krizek 1984).
Heliconius charithonia caterpillars feed on plants in the genus Passiflora (passion vines/passionflower/passionfruit). In the U.S., hosts include P. incarnata, P. lutea, P. suberosa, and P. multiflora (Cech and Tudor 2005).
In a study of the Zebra Longwing in Costa Rica, Cook et al. (1976) observed a maximum lifespan of 133 days, but estimated the typical adult lifespan to be around 40-50 days, with evidence of senescence (declining survival rate) after about 25 days.
In a study in south Florida, Fleming et al. (2005) estimated the maximum adult lifespan to be 13-14 weeks (91-98 days). Most adults, however, lived less than one month, so average lifespan was estimated to be less than eight weeks (<56 days).
In the United States, the Heliconius charitonius is unmistakable. Over much of its Neotropical distribution, there are a dazzling array of other Heliconius species with which it might be confused, although the lack of any conspicuous colors other than black and yellow sets it apart from several otherwise similar species (Cook et al. 1976).
Females lay eggs on young host leaves at branch tips, depositing just a few eggs each day over a period of several months (Opler and Krizek 1984).
Like many other Heliconius butterflies, H. charithonia feeds extensively on pollen, using its specially modified proboscis, as a source of amino acids and other nutrients (Gilbert 1972; Opler and Krizek 1984; Cech and Tudor 2005).
