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HERNANDO CHAPTER |
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HERNANDO CHAPTER |
| ANIMAL PROFILE Butterflies in Central Florida by Sharon LaPlante |
| Zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius) Habit: The zebra longwing is usually found floating lazily through woodlands & woodland edges in search of nectar & its host plants. Its host plants, Passiflora lutea & Passiflora suberosa prefer the part shade of woodlands & woodland edges. At night they roost in shrubbery with a large number gathering in the same location. They are thought to be one of the most intelligent butterflies. Newly emerged butterflies readily learn locations of nectar sources and communal roosting sites from older adults. There life span ranges from four to six months. They are also one of only a few butterflies that are able to use pollen as food source. Description: Black, banded with narrow yellow stripes. Bases of wings have red spots. Nectar plants: Spanish needle (Bidens pilosa), Red salvia (Salvia coccinea), Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), Golden dewdrop (Duranta repens) & Firebush (Hamelia patens) Larval food: They prefer Passiflora lutea & Passiflora suberosa. However, they will use Passiflora incarnata also. I haven't seen them use the P. incarnata in my butterfly garden, possibly because it is growing in the full sun. Eggs: Pale yellow, becoming darker with age. Laid singly on the new leaf tips or new tendrils. Larval: White with rows of branching black spines, which are stingless. Chrysalis: Spiny, mottled brown with metallic spots on the side. Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) Habit: A fast flier, generally staying close to the ground in search of nectar sources. Description: Red-orange above with a few black spots. The underside is similar, but with a coral - pink base and metallic silver teardrops. Nectar plants: Spanish needle (Bidens pilosa), Red salvia (Salvia coccinea), Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), Stoke's aster (Stokesia laevis), and Coastal vervain (Glandularia maritima). Larval food: Passiflora incarnata, Passiflora lutea, and Passiflora suberosa. Eggs: Oblong, ribbed, and yellow. Laid singly on new growth. Larval: Rust colored with branching, black spines, which are stingless. Chrysalis: Mottled brown and warty, resembling a dried leaf. |
| References: Ajilvsgi, Geyata. Butterfly Gardening for the South. Taylor Publishing: Dallas, TX. 1990 ISBN: 0878337385 (1991 edition) Emmel, Thomas. Florida's Fabulous Butterflies. World Publications: Tampa, FL. 1997 ISBN: 0911977155 Huegel, C. Butterfly Gardening with Florida's Native Plants. Florida Native Plant Society: Orlando, FL. 1992 The Audubon Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Knopf: New York, NY. 1992 ISBN: 0394519140 (1981 Flexi edition) |
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