Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 13,362 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Zebra Longwing: observations by month (U.S.)
About Zebra Longwing
Heliconius charithonia, the zebra longwing or zebra heliconian, is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. The boldly striped black and white wing pattern is aposematic, warning off predators.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Zebra Longwing by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 10,656 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Texas | 1,155 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Georgia | 963 | October | Aug–Nov |
| South Carolina | 388 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Alabama | 66 | October | Aug–Nov |
| Louisiana | 46 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Mississippi | 37 | October | Sep–Nov |
| North Carolina | 29 | October | Aug–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 11 | September | May–Oct |
| California | 8 | August | Jul–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Common Buckeye
Red Admiral
Pearl Crescent
Painted Lady
American Lady
Variegated Fritillary
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Zebra Longwing?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from September to August.
Where is Zebra Longwing most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, Georgia.