How to Identify a Zebra Longwing Butterfly

What Does a Zebra Longwing Butterfly Look Like?

Courtesy Donnakay Floyd

“What’s this beautiful butterfly?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Donnakay Floyd of Tallahassee, Florida.

The zebra heliconian, also called the zebra longwing butterfly, seems well named—even though its stripes are black and pale yellow, not black and white.

Learn how to identify and attract a long-tailed skipper butterfly.

Range and Habitat

Courtesy Nancy Konigsberg

These butterflies are widespread in the American tropics. In the U.S. they’re found mainly in Florida. Smaller numbers call Texas home, and they may wander into other southern states.

Adults are often seen flying through the shadows of open woods, with shallow, shivering beats of their long wings. Also look for clusters of zebra heliconians roosting together in the evening.

Meet the lovely American Lady butterfly.

Caterpillar and Host Plant

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You can find the spiny black and white caterpillars feeding on the leaves of passion vines in warm climates.

Discover 8 crazy cool caterpillars you could find in your backyard.

Zebra Longwing Pictures

Courtesy Doreen Damm

“When a butterfly chooses your garden, it’s magical. Your cares fade away with each flap of their wings. I grow several flowering plants to attract these beauties. In particular, this zebra longwing needs its host plant, passionflower, for its caterpillars to munch on. As adults, the species enjoys the bright red blossoms of jatropha shrubs and this yellow starry rosinweed,” says reader Doreen Damm of New Port Richey, Florida.

Courtesy Carol Neel

“I spotted this zebra longwing in the spring, just south of home along a hiking trail in Corpus Christi, Texas. I love the stark contrast and beauty,” says Carol Neel.

Courtesy Dave Bause

“As I took this photo, there was one zebra longwing butterfly, pollinating the left orange zinnia. Imagine my surprise, when I opened the photo, at home, the second zebra longwing had flown in!” says Dave Bause.

Next, check out these fascinating monarch butterfly facts.