USDA Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers
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Pollinator of the MonthPollinator of the MonthZebra Longwing Butterfly
The zebra longwing butterfly or zebra heliconian, Heliconius charitonia, is unmistakable with its long narrow wings, which are striped black and pale yellow. This species is common in Mexico and Central America and it is also found in most of Florida and in some areas of Texas, where it can be seen year round. Occasionally it wanders farther north as far as South Carolina and some of the central states, although it is not likely to survive the cold. Pollinator of the Month will highlight the interdependency of certain species of native North American wildflowers and their animal pollinators. Most plants have a flower morphology, color, blooming period, and/or scent that will attract a particular type of pollinator to reap its food rewards of nectar and pollen. For some species, the co-evolved relationship between plant and pollinator can be so interconnected that the disappearance of one can signal the extinction of the other. Likewise, efforts to conserve or restore plant communities should pay special attention to the needs of the pollinators associated with those plants in order to promote long-term success. Pollinator of the Month demonstrates the beautiful dance between native plants and their pollinators found in a variety of ecosystems across the United States. Previous Pollinators of the MonthThe thumbnail links below are an archive of previous Pollinator of the Month descriptions.
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Celebrating Wildflowers Partners
U.S. Forest Service
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Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/index.shtml
Last modified: Thursday, 09-Apr-2009 16:23:36 EDT