The zebra longwing butterfly has a wingspan of 2.75-4 inches (7-10 cm). Its black wings are long and narrow with light yellow zebra-like stripes. It has long black antennae.
The zebra longwing butterfly lives in warm, damp tropical areas. It is often found in hammocks and thickets.
The zebra longwing butterfly caterpillar eats the leaves of passion flowers. The passion flower contains a toxin that gives the zebra longwing an unpleasant taste and makes it poisonous to predators. The butterfly drinks the nectar of a wide range of flowers.
The zebra longwing butterfly begins mating right after it emerges from its chrysalis. The female lays 5-15 eggs on the leaves of passion flower vines. The caterpillar has a white body with long black spines and a yellow head.
If weather conditions are right, the zebra longwing butterfly can go from egg to butterfly in a little over three weeks.
When it is disturbed, the zebra longwing butterfly makes a creaking sound by wiggling its body. At night, large groups roost together on tree limbs. They return to the same roost night after night.
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The zebra longwing butterfly is found in the southern United States from Texas to Florida. It is also found in Central America and northern South America.
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