Nymphalidae : Heliconiinae
Heliconius charithonia Comstock & Brown, 1950
Zebra Heliconian
Heliconius charithonia Comstock & Brown, 1950
Zebra Heliconian
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 78-102mm. Sexes similar. Has a slow, deliberate flight and the long narrow wings with pale yellow bands on a black background are diagnostic. The vary rare Isabella's Heliconian Eueides melphis is much smaller and has dull orange bands rather than yellow. Roosts communally.
Range: Southern USA to Peru and throughout the Caribbean.
Status: Widespread and common throughout Cuba in all habitats.
Nectar Plants: Bidens pilosa, Lantana, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Bourreria ovata, Plumbago, Melochia nodiflora.
Larval Foodplants: Various species of Passiflora. The eggs are laid on the terminal shoots or tendrils of the foodplant.
Range: Southern USA to Peru and throughout the Caribbean.
Status: Widespread and common throughout Cuba in all habitats.
Nectar Plants: Bidens pilosa, Lantana, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Bourreria ovata, Plumbago, Melochia nodiflora.
Larval Foodplants: Various species of Passiflora. The eggs are laid on the terminal shoots or tendrils of the foodplant.
Egg
Larva
Pupa
Foodplants and Habitat
