Zebra Longwing Butterflies

Even though this butterfly is the Florida state butterfly, last year I only saw two in my yard. And they seem to be rare here because I don't see them very often out and around my local area.

I only had those two and never saw any cats or eggs. That had me wondering. Then I read this:
Host plants: Passion-vines including Passiflora suberosa, P. lutea, and P. affinis.

I have maypop in my yard, but I don't believe I have any of the above mentioned passiflora. So now I am thinking that I didn't have the right host plant.

Does anyone happen to have seeds for any of the 3 above mentioned Passiflora? If not, I may scout around to trade here on DG or purchase some seeds online. I really want more of these butterflies in my yard. They are so pretty. I enjoyed the 2 ZLW I had last year.

This message was edited May 15, 2007 2:14 AM

Becky, I'm with you.I've had one flying around my yard for the last week and never wants to stop on anything .I've got 3 tiny starts of the P.Suberosa so it's probably better if it waits to find it.But your right ,I spot them so rarely and think they are so neat looking I'd love to try and increase their numbers.To this point I haven't even seen them on anything nectaring,just fast hovering ,and moves on quickly so please let us know what they like to nectar on if you see them on anything.

Just came in from backyard jungle and spotted one on the purple porterweed. That's a first for me to see one nectaring.

Don - Last year the two I had came every day and stayed most of the day. They were constantly on my giant purple porterweed (which I dug up and moved to the backyard this year) and the Lantana. The two plants were just a few feet from each other and these butterflies would glide from one to the other plant and back again all day long. I would find them out in the backyard in the late afternoon near the Maypop vines along my fence. But never saw either of them laying any eggs and never saw any ZLW cats. I think they were roosting in the tree in the vacant lot right next to my fence. I haven't seen any at all this year yet. But ...... I didn't see them until late summer/fall last year.

I am beginning to think that some of the butterflies are seasonal or show up when the predators are gone or at a low count. I see so many butterflies in the Fall more so than even the Spring. I think it is because the wasps population dies down in the Fall. It's been like that here for the past 2 years. So ..... my goal is to get all my plants growing strong and staying healthy for the Fall butterflies. I see a ton of butterflies every Fall/early Winter (barring any hurricane weather).

If your P. Suberosa vines get going there and produce some fruit/seeds, I would love to get a few seeds off of you if I don't have any luck getting some sooner. :-)

Keep us posted on the ZLW you have! I want to know if it does settle in and use your vines. :-)

I was never able to find any p. suberosa. (that's a hint for seeds and rooted cuttings if anyone wants to trade).

Ended up purchasing about 15 passiflora liners from Edith at Shady Oak Butterfly Farm (butterfliesetc.com) last month. They said the ZLW uses all the passifloras they have...hmmmm...so they sent p. biflora, p. foetida and p. incarnata. The vines are growing vigorously since I planted them...so time will tell.

I saw only one Gulf Frit a couple of weeks ago...so they vines appear to be safe for now. Am hoping those GF butterflies will leave them alone (not likely!!) but I usually see ZLWs in my yard in the fall season.

If the GFs decide to start laying eggs on them I will move the cats to a huge p. incarnata in my front yard. They strip that poor plant every year but it always comes back in full force.

~ Cat

ps...this is the second time I've ordered from Shady Oak and again am extremely pleased with the size and health of the plants they've sent. I've always purchased liners because I want to grow the plants to maturity myself - of course, it's less expensive...so you can buy more!!! :o) The size of their plant liners are much better than what most of the nurseries out here sell in gallon pots for five or more times the cost.

This message was edited May 15, 2007 9:45 AM

Don and Becky,
I too was enamored of the "Zeb" and I did ton s of research! Here's what I discovered...
They really like my "Corky" or Passiflora suberose. You can get it from Native nurseries. They also seem to want the plant up off the ground and in the shade. I have pots of them on an old iron corner rack in the shade of my garden. They laid eggs all over it last summer and I was able to raise maybe a dozen. They did lay the occassional egg in the tendrils of my "Maypop" but by fay they preffered the Corky! Good luck!
Oh! The babies look like "Fritt" babies in their 1st instar. If you look through a magnifying glass they are orange with 1 black dot on their back....they'll turn white in a few days. Becky if you want I can send you a plant...just D mail me.

Adrienne

The one year I had ZL cats I had lots. I remember they used the P. incarnata and the P. caerulea. I saw one once on P. foetida var. gossypifolia that year, but when I went back later I couldn't find it, so I don't know...but it was obvious that the mama ZLs did not prefer to lay their eggs on those plants. The GFs, however, love them and will use them first in the springtime. Then that following winter was the big south Texas deep freeze in December and the ZLs stopped coming here, even though the butterflies had been appearing here for years. I miss them.

Becky, I'm checking with the source of the P.Sub.to see if they have any seeds from last year left .I don't think they produce seeds until mid summer.so not sure how viaible old seed would be be will let you know.
Adrienne, That's really encouraging about you raising them just a stone's throw away. What native nursery did you get your P.Sub from?

yes...do give info on the nursery that sells p. suberosa. I need to obtain a few plants for my yard :o)

~ Cat

I often see zebra longwings in shady areas of the garden. They seem to like to hang out near my firebush or firespike, and sometimes Jatropha. I have also seen them near porterweed and duranta. They often come out when it is evening or cloudy. In past years they used to come in the morning, but I haven't been out too often in the morning this year. I have had difficulty photographing ZLs, but I do have one from October. Perhaps they are more prevalent in the fall.

This message was edited May 15, 2007 7:48 PM

Here is a photo from last October.

And here is one more. This one shows the ZL with a Jatropha blossom. In the previous one it's resting on a hibiscus.

snuzer29 - Nice photos!!!! They are so unusual looking. It's those long striped wings that are so beautiful. In my yard last year they just fluttered slowly here and there. Never seemed to be in a hurry at all. They were so fun to watch!

I think they rest and also roost in shady spots. I also would see them on the shady side of the fence, so y'all are right that they do prefer shade if possible. I never saw them nectaring on anything but the Porterweed and Lantana. Though this year if I get any, I think I will see them on other plants in my backyard because I have a lot more blooming this year. The garden beds are finally taking off with growth and flowers.

Whatever y'all find out about seeds or plants ..... please post here to let me know. (As well as everyone else, too!) I definitely want some P. suberosa! Thanks for trying to locate some for me! I truly appreciate it!!!

Ok! Passiflora s. or as I like to call it..."corky". In Florida we call it corky stemmed passionflower . Here is a link to a list of retail Florida Native Nurseries that have it...

http://www.afnn.org/search_afnn_plants.asp?a=search&type=retailer&parram=scientific

Then here's the wholesale list...you'll probably have to drive to get it. I've gotten from Pine Lily Nursery and her stuff is great!

http://www.afnn.org/search_afnn_plants.asp?a=search&type=wholesale&parram=common

For people outside of Florida
http://www.georgiavines.com/page3.html

These plants are so worth it!! Go get em!


~Adrienne

p.lutea grows wild here. I had my eye on some about 5 yrs ago,waiting on seed but the dang community serive people hacked it down before I could get the seeds. I'll scout around for more as I'm working on a huge flowerbed at the city park again this year and they were over in another area of the park.

P

I was in Flatwoods park last month and had one fly over my head. I thought it was an odd place to see one because I was in the middle of a cypress swamp. It wasn't overly thick woods, but dense enough. The area normally has a little creek running through it, but it was dry at the time. I've also seen them while I was walking through the Brooker Creek Headwaters Preserve. I have to agree with the others that it in my experience, they tend to prefer a less open area.

Out here the ZLW prefer to flit through the wooded/shaded areas. There is a ditch alongside a canal that runs through the NABA park...it is quite shaded by overhanging hackberry trees and I often see ZLW perched within the dappled sunlit areas. Same goes for the Question Marks, Satyrs and Malachites.

Although they do come out to nectar on lantana and other blooming plants when they get hungry enough :o)

~ Cat

Thank-you Becky! Today, around 5 pm, I had 2 in my yard. They almost seemed to be playing together. One did stop to nectar on my Chaya. I do love watching them.

Snuzer29,
What's a "Chaya"? Sorry if it's a silly question....

~Adrienne

Adrienne,

Chaya is also called Tree Spinach (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) - it is popular down here in south Texas as a medicinal plant. The new/tender leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach.

Snuzer...

Does your chaya have blooms? We have that growing back at the ranch...can't recall seeing flowers on it though.

~ Cat

Yes-- Here is a picture of it. Tomorrow morning, if it's not raining I'll try to get a close-up of the blossoms. Who knows- maybe I'll even be able to get a ZLW picture, too! I hope to spend a few hours outside as (hurray!) I have no other plans 'til afternoon. On Wednesday, one of them landed on a thryallis blossom, also. I have never before seen any butterfly land on it. Is thryallis used as a nectar plant by any butterflies?

Snuzer, you have P.suberosa, don't you?

I have been on a watch for that cultivar since last week when I asked. I know ZLW come here, (or have been reported), and then realized I didn't have the right larval host, Still looking for cuttings or anything of P. suberosa. I am bugging all my local nurseries about getting it in.

:-)

Yes. One vine has been pretty much decimated ( defoliated) and the other has not been touched. The 2 are in different parts of the yard. Both of them are small and recently planted. Since I am relatively new to gardening, I have not done a lot of propogating. Also, I have never mailed a plant. Tomorrow, I'll take a picture of a tiny fruit on the untouched vine. If you tell me what to do, perhaps I will be able to get seed from it and send it to you.

I read through the plantFiles info on P. suberosa and gained some info. I know Cat also wants some. A while ago there was also a purple fruit on the vine along with the little green one that is now there. I don't know if the purple one dropped off or if it was eaten by a bird. I am not sure whether to harvest the little green fruit and bring it in or to leave it on the vine longer.

Usually with Passionvines, you leave the fruit on til it drops off. It isn't ripe until then.. Dry the seeds thoroughly.

Maybe I can send you some blue Crown rooted cuttings I have and you can see how it can be shipped. Cuttings can take time to root, but you get a plant, and a really true plant at that.


:-)

Did I read my name and p. suberosa in the same sentence? :o) Heh heh...glad ya'll are keeping me in mind if any p. suberosa becomes available.

~ Cat

My name is in the same sentence too, LOL! I've begged some too, P. suberosa please! If they show to be here, I want to support them!

~ {:-)

Ladies,
There are 3 members who have seeds for trade.

http://davesgarden.com/trading/view/search.php?search_text=passiflora+suberosa

and a nursery too...

http://www.gkexoticplants.com/index.htm

~Adrienne

I admit it - I'm a garden weasel. I'm the kind of gardener who wants instant gratification by means of rooted plants...elsewise I'd have posted in the seed trading forum :o) Growing plants from seeds is rewarding...but I'm also a procrastinator and never seem to get them started in time.

Being a member of several garden websites also makes it so much more fun to trade with fellow gardeners than purchasing from an internet nursery and having to fork over outrageous shipping charges for plants that are more often than not short of my expectations.

Paying to get the plants I want doesn't bother me....and I have ordered from numerous internet nurseries...but will say I've been disappointed in all except one...and the only company I give ten stars too is Shady Oak Butterfly Farm. Alas, they do not have p. suberosa...elsewise I would have gladly purchased several long ago.

Will also say when I order plants I usually order six or more of one species. I place an order via credit card that will counteract shipping costs and have been screwed by companies telling me those don't have the quantity I want and they have refunded the plant costs...yet, the shipping charges remain steep! PHOOEY on that!

ps...I've learned to stay away from any company with less than a 96% rating.

~ Cat

They don't currently have P. suberosa on their list, but I just had to say that I've always received the most wonderful plants from Brushwood. They are a little $$, but their plants are correspondingly large and well established. Also, shipping is free, and you get $5 off on every third plant.

Here's their passionflower page, http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/passion-flowers-c-23.html?osCsid=6f7f03a65355fcdfa5b7c6c4de594275

I've also had some good email exchanges with Dan, and I'll bet you could successfully encourage him to add other passionflowers to his list, although he may not have it for you until next year (they propagate all their own plants).

Here is what is listed for Zebra Heliconian host plants:
Passiflora suberosa, P. lutea, and P. affinis..,. so more to broaden the search.

Adrienne, that is a really nice site, have you ordered from them before? They are kinda high priced. I will check around locally as the season gets going into summer.

Any of these 3 should be availabe in Florida, since it is their state butterfly.. I would be happy with a few (tender new growth), cuttings of any of these 3. So would Cat, LOL!

*Nudge * nudge* Becky :-)

heh heh...I bet you would Deb!!!

One of these days I need to drive over to a nursery about 40 miles from me. They are supposed to carry lots of larval hosts...but alas, I work days so don't have time during the week to make the trip...as always drive out to the ranch for the weekend. Methinks me needs to get my butterfly priorities straightened out!!!

Looked over that gardenvines site...looks good...will have to browse more later.

~ Cat

...and and saw this bugger at the ranch today...along with several turtles, one horned toad (hadn't seen one of those in decades), the usual rattler and a good guy black snake.



This message was edited May 19, 2007 8:19 PM

G Willies Cat!! Is that a little terantula???

Add to the list for Heliconius charitonia (Zebra Heliconian).... larval hosts:

P. boenderi
P. trifaciata
...................and the afore mentioned:
P. lutea
P. suberosa
P. affinis

:-D

little? This bugger was big!...and scary! Everytime I see a tarantula I remember that old William Shatner movie "Kingdom of Spiders" eeeek!!! I can't believe I used to catch these critters as a kid and keep them as pets! Will say it did cross my mind to bring it back with me so it could take care of the green anoles and geckos!!! But thought better of it and left it alone. No sense having a spider outside in the backyard that might learn how to use the doggy door! A nosy 'possum was enough!!!

~ Cat

ROFL! Cute spider!!! :-) Hee, hee! I have a paperweight with a deceased one inside. It's bigger than my hand!!! I take it to school every year to show the students. They love it!!! :-)

Oh my gosh, Cat ..... I WISH you had taken a photo of the horned toad!!! As a kid, I lived in Nevada and they were everywhere! They were so cool compared to regular toad frogs. I haven't seen one of those in 40+ years!!! If ya see another, please take a photo of it and post here or on another thread! That would be sooooo cool to see one again!!! Brings back great childhood memories! That and sand storms! LOL! I remember Hover Dam, too! Awwwww ..... to go back in time. (sigh)

I haven't yet aquired any of the P. suberosa, but may get one soon. And you know I will share because I play nicely with my friends!!! :-)

All the other bugs will think twice before grabbing your papers when you put them under that big dude Becky!!

Ah!! the nostallgia of a horned toad....lol! If I find one I'll send it to ya. in trade for some of your suberosa, LOL!

Beck~ Have you looked for all 5 in the list up 2 posts? Suberosa isn't the only one Zeb's use. Did lots of research this last week!

I will be looking for some of the other Passiflora vines you listed as well, but I really want the P. suberosa. I will let y'all know when I get my hands on some! :-)

This message was edited May 20, 2007 7:48 AM

I will look too Beckaroo!

Becky,

Don't think I could stand seeing a tarantula every day even if it is encased in resin!

One of my dogs started barking around 2am...it was a different from the normal 'there's a cat in the yard" bark and she was in the living room...as opposed to barking while sticking her head out the doggy door or barking at one of the windows. Immediately I had visions that a tarantula came in through the doggy door!!! I got up to investigate and she was barking at the tv cabinet. I shined a flashlight behind it but couldn't find anything...and didn't feel like getting on my hands and knees to peek underneath it either!!! That reminds me I best check now that it's daylight...ugh!

Got numerous photos of the Horned Toad (don't mean to disrupt this post on Zebras....but if I say I was out at the ranch looking for ZLT and came across the Horned Toad will that pass muster? :o)

Of course, all the photos are of the same pose...those Horned Toads don't move once they know you've spotted them!!! But I believe it was eating red ants as there was a trail nearby but when I drove up in the golf car it scurried away from them. It was a good day for critters!

...and you weren't kidding about not seeing them anymore...it's been decades for me too. Seeing this one brought back lots of those old memories of growing up at the ranch. I remember seeing a baby one once about thirty years ago...it was merely 1" big...that was the cutest thing I'd ever seen!!!


~ Cat

ps...found a dying junebug? (potato beetle? whatever those brown beetles are that show up at lights and manage to fly in through the door) under the tv cabinet...am thinking that's what the dog was barking at last night...whew!!!

This message was edited May 20, 2007 12:50 PM

Awwwwwwwwwww ...... THANK YOU, Cat! I haven't seen one since I was a little girl! They are so neat looking! Thank you, thank you! :-) :-) :-)

And I do not mind seeing a photo of it in this thread for ZLW butterflies! LOL! Nor do I mind the spider! Hee, hee! I'm not picky about any of my threads being hijacked. Though I am sure newbies or folks looking for info on a particular species might find it annoying .... but I don't! I like EVERYTHING! Variety is the spice of life! :-) Plus some creatures like the Horned Toads bring back such warm fuzzie memories for me! :-) :-) That was so sweet of you to post the photo for me! Thank you! :-D

This message was edited May 20, 2007 10:09 AM