Zebra Longwing

Class: Hexapoda (animals with six legs - includes all insects)
    lepido = scale and ptera = wings (singular is pteron)
    The wings are covered with small scales.
Order: Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
Family: Nymphalidae (brushfoot butterflies)
Subfamily: Heliconiinae (longwings and fritillaries)
Species: Heliconius charithonius
Common Name: Zebra Longwing
Date : 2003 August 27
Place: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    in McKittrick Canyon near its mouth

Opler in the Peterson Guide to Western Butterflies indicates that this butterfly is an uncommon stray into our area. While it has probably been in the Park before, this is the first documented occurrence.

I came across this butterfly nectaring on thistles in the dry water course near the mouth of McKittrick Canyon. I was hiking out of the canyon in the early afternoon after waiting out a rainy period in the Grotto. I have only seen this one individual.

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Note: This is a personal web site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Contact information for the author, Ron Lyons, is accessible through the Index Page referenced below. Thank you.