Our State Butterfly

I've noticed a larger variety of butterflies flying around the garden at our "new" house compared to our "old" house. I find that a little odd since we moved into a more urban area but it's definitely a good thing for a gardener like me. Remember the passionflower vine I wrote about in this post? I finally attracted Zebra Longwing butterflies to my garden with it and found this little guy...

This is the first Zebra Longwing caterpillar I have ever found in my garden! Now this is an important caterpillar for Floridians - it will become our state butterfly.  

Photo by jjjj56cp via Flickr

The Zebra Longwing is found all over Florida and the Southern United States, Mexico, Central America and into South America. It is a medium sized butterfly with yellow and black stripes. Under its wings, there are usually red spots close to its body. It will lay tiny yellow eggs on the passionvine's tendrils or leaves. These will hatch into white caterpillars with black spikes (Daniels). I always find it so interesting how the caterpillar can look so different from the adult butterfly.

I hope you find some Zebra Longwings in your garden this summer!

References: 

Daniels, J. (2009).  Zebra Longwing, Heliconius charitonia. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in805