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Our State Butterfly - Zebra Longwing

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Our State Butterfly - Zebra Longwing

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​Florida is home for more than 180 species of butterflies. Our state butterfly is the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius). Zebra butterflies frequent home butterfly gardens and suburban yards and parks.  These butterflies have a relatively long lifespan, living many months due to their diet of both nectar and pollen. Butterflies have four life stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. Zebra longwings are medium-sized butterflies with extended wings. The upper surface of the wings is black with bright, yellow stripes.
To attract the Zebra longwings to your garden, plant a passionvine (Passiflora incarnata) or a (Passiflora suberosa) on a trellis or along a chain-link fence, on which the adult butterflies will lay their eggs and which the caterpillars of the Zebra longwing will feed upon. Remember that these plants ultimately will be chewed upon if you are a successful butterfly gardener. Plant our native firebush (Hamelia patens) which will provide plenty of nectar for the adult Zebra longwings.
To see the Mounts Botanical Garden Butterfly demonstration garden at the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service stop by 531 North Military Trail West Palm Monday-Sunday 10AM-4PM. For more information visit www.mounts.org.

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Fig. 1 Zebra Longwing Butterfly

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Fig. 2 Palm Beach County Master Gardener Volunteers Julia Renninger and Butch Farrell maintaining the Mounts Botanical Garden Butterfly Demonstration Garden

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