Zebra Longwing or Zebra Heliconian
| Heliconiinae: The Longwings Great Spangled Fritillary Gulf Fritillary Hydaspe Fritillary Julia Longwing Mexican Fritillary Mormon Fritillary Pacific Fritillary Butterfly Pictures |
During good years, they are known to stray north to the Midwest and Southeast. The long, think, black and yellow striped wings make them very easy to identify.
As far as butterfly flight goes, they tend to fly slowly, landing on a variety of flowering plants to nectar. They are one of only a few species that consumes pollen as a protein food source. The caterpillars feed on passionvine.
Zebra Heliconian are popular butterflies, shown at many butterfly exhibits around the United States. They are also the state butterfly of Florida.
The top picture was taken in a natural setting in South Texas.
© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels