CREATURE FEATURE #23
ZEBRA LONGWING (Helliconius
charitonius)
Soon, the weather will warm and the gusty winds of winter
will dissipate and spring will be upon us here at Mound House. It is then that
we find so many of the numerous species of butterflies that make their home
here on the Mound.
Our State butterfly, the Zebra Longwing is found throughout
Florida and adults may live for several months. The female lays her eggs on the
young leaves and tendrils of the purple passion flower, which will provide food
for the caterpillars that emerge. They may produce numerous generations each
year and these butterflies can be easily distinguished by the yellow bands on
their wide black wings. Mound House has a wide variety of flowering “host”
plants that provide food for several species of butterflies.
