# Zebra Longwing (*Heliconius charithonia*) The Zebra Longwing is a beautiful butterfly with black and yellow stripes. It flutters around gardens and forests, sipping nectar from flowers. These butterflies are fun to watch as they dance in the air! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Zebra Butterfly ![Zebra Longwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Heliconius_charithonia%252C_Mariposario_de_Icod_de_los_Vinos%252C_Tenerife%252C_Espa%C3%B1a%252C_2012-12-13%252C_DD_04.jpg&width=800) Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heliconius_charithonia%252C_Mariposario_de_Icod_de_los_Vinos%252C_Tenerife%252C_Espa%C3%B1a%252C_2012-12-13%252C_DD_04.jpg) ## Appearance The Zebra Longwing has long, narrow black wings covered with bright yellow stripes and small spots. Its slender body is also black, making its distinct pattern stand out against green foliage. This striking appearance makes it easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Heliconius ## Interesting facts - Male Zebra Longwings have a special scent that helps them find their mates. - Their caterpillars are spiky and white, looking totally different from the adult butterfly! - Zebra Longwings "sleep" together in groups every night on the same branches! - Zebra Longwings can fly year-round in warm climates, unlike many other butterflies! ## Special abilities - **Pollen Power:** Zebra Longwing can digest pollen because it provides extra nutrients for a super long life. - **Social Sleeper:** Zebra Longwing can roost in large groups at night, which helps them stay safe and warm. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-100 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-180 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These butterflies sip nectar and even eat pollen to fuel their long lives! - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on passion flower leaves, while adults drink nectar and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Pollen, Fruit juice, Water - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Passion Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/passion-flower) (*Passiflora incarnata*) — Provides food for caterpillars and egg-laying sites. - **Pollinates:** Mexican Cucumber Vine (*Psiguria mexicana*) — Adults collect pollen and nectar, helping the plant reproduce. - **Eaten by:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — These small lizards may attempt to prey on the butterflies. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zebra Longwing? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Zebra Longwing's wingspan? 70-100 mm ### How big is Zebra Longwing? 30-40 mm ### How long does Zebra Longwing live? 30-180 days ### How fast can Zebra Longwing fly? 5 km/h ### What does Zebra Longwing eat? These butterflies sip nectar and even eat pollen to fuel their long lives! ### Where is Zebra Longwing usually found? Forests ### How does Zebra Longwing hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Harry P. Leu Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harry-p-leu-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Busch Gardens Tampa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/busch-gardens-tampa) — Florida, US · Zoo - [American Orchid Society Visitors Center and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-orchid-society-visitors-center-and-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Cypress Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cypress-gardens) — South Carolina, US · Botanical Garden - [Deerfield Beach Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/deerfield-beach-arboretum) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Zebra Longwing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/zebra-longwing) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Zebra Longwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zebra-longwing)