The zebra longwing, Heliconius charitonius, is in the Nymphalidae, or brush footed, family and the subfamily of Heliconiiae. Helicaonian butterflies in Florida include the gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, and the julia. The julia is more of a southern Florida butterfly and only rarely seen in central Florida.
Zebra longwings are black and banded with narrow yellow stripes. The bases of wings have red spots.
It 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.