Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)

Also called Zebra Longwings, they are common in south Florida and south Texas. It is a very rare stray in North Carolina however, which has been recorded from several North Carolina counties in the piedmont and coastal plain. Several of these records probably represent escapes from butterfly houses or individuals that arrived as eggs, larvae, or pupae on landscape stock, e.g., from FL. However, some are probably legitimate strays. Either way, this is a stunning butterfly that flies fairly slowly and enjoys nectaring in gardens.

	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 In July 2008 a colony of Zebra Heliconians was discovered at Ft. Macon, NC. This colony will likely not survive the winter, but it seems to be well established for this summer as many eggs and caterpillars have been found on the Passiflora growing there.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 Zebra Heliconians have a slow, fluttery flight and are toxic to predators.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 Nectaring on Frogfruit (Lippia nodiflora).
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008

	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 When preparing to lay eggs, the female flutters around the tip of the caterpillar foodplant (in this case, Yellow Passionflower, Passiflora lutea) and make several "swipes" near the tip of the vine.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 If the butterfly landed, she proceeded to lay one or two eggs nestled among the vine's growing tip.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 The eggs are those little yellow-orange spots visible.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008

	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 Eggs.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 Eggs. I don't know if all three of these eggs were laid by the same individual or not.

	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 First instar Zebra Heliconian caterpillar.
	Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius) Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008 Second or third instar Zebra Heliconian caterpillar.


Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008	Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 18 July 2008


Monroe Co., FL 10 Aug 03	Hidalgo Co., TX 19 Oct 2004

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Created on ... June 2, 2005 | Updated on ... July 20, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu