Zebra Longwing
Zebra Longwing
Dark brown, white with red spots. Awesome pollinators.
*Our state butterfly, Zebra Longwing, or Zebra Heliconian, is named for its striped wing pattern. This coloration is a warning to predators that the butterfly is toxic. Their toxic nature comes from chemicals called cyanogenic glycosides that taste bitter, and if ingested, are bad for one’s health. The nasty chemicals derived from the hostplant – the Passion Vine – protect caterpillars as well. The caterpillars are white with black spots and black spines and are conspicuous, because they too signal to predators, “Don’t eat me!” Caterpillars pupate on or near hostplants and the chrysalis looks like a dry leaf and is hard to find.
*Source: Florida Museum
Photo credits: The Kaleidoscope Garden
