The zebra longwing, or zebra heliconian, butterfly sipping on some blue porterweed. This beauty was named after the stripped pattern of the wings, which also is a warning to predators that it is toxic. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History the cyanogenic glycoside chemicals taste bitter, and come from the passion vine host plant.

This butterfly is unique as the male zebra longwing will mate with a female before it emerges from its chrysalis. Once the female is found, the male will visit the chrysalis repeatedly. The female will emerge during the process, expanding her wings as the mating goes on for several hours.

The butterflies can be found from Peru to as far north as Texas and Florida.