Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonia)
| Zebra Heliconian, also known as Zebra Longwing, is a common butterfly in Florida, southern Texas, and from Mexico and the West Indies south to South America. Homestead, Miami-Dade Co., FL 6/22/2010. |
| Zebra Heliconians sometimes stray north and have been reported as far north and Nebraska and Maryland. It is a rare stray in North Carolina, where in 2008 a record-setting population of over 30 individuals was discovered on Bogue Banks, first at Fort Macon, then Hoop Hole Creek and other sites. A gravid female stray from the Florida population may have made it to Bogue Banks early in the season and laid numerous eggs on Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea) vines, common in the area, establishing the population. All these butterflies should eventually be killed during the winter frosts. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| The stripes appear creamy white to yellowish, depending on the lighting conditions. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Female ovipositing. The eyes are incredibly patterned -- white with black spots, recalling the pattern on the body of the caterpillar (see below). Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Female ovipositing. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Two eggs laid at the tip of an expanding Yellow Passionflower leaf. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Detail of the yellow corncob-like egg. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| A small, probably third or fourth instar caterpillar. The first instar is more orange. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| A large, probably final instar caterpillar. The caterpillars are unmistakeable white with black spines and black spots. The head, to the right, blend right in with the body pattern. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Same individual. The head is to the left. Fort Macon, Carteret Co., NC 7/13/08. |
| Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas 6/20/2010. |
| Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas 6/20/2010. |
| Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas 6/20/2010. |
| Homestead, Miami-Dade Co., FL 6/22/2010. |
| Carteret Co., NC 9/28/08. |
| Carteret Co., NC 9/28/08. |
| Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04 |