Zebra Heliconian , 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. The caterpillar feeds on Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea), Corky-stemmed Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa), and Two-flower Passionflower (Passiflora biflora). The adults are unusual among butterflies in that they eat pollen as well as sip nectar. This ability contributes to their longevity—3 months as an adult.
Because of
Zebra Heliconian relatively long lifespan and their activity throughout the day, this is a popular species with butterfly houses. Another unusual feature is that adults roost in groups of up to 70, and return to the same roost each evening.
In some publications the butterfly is referred to as Heliconius charitonius, but this is either a lapsus calami or unjustified emmendation of the original name given by Linnaeus in 1767, Papilio charithonia. Cramer in 1777 was apparently the first to publish this incorrect name.
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