Zebra longwings live as long as six months, thanks to their diet of both nectar and pollen. Without pollen, their lifespan is considerably shorter.
Zebra longwings range from South America north, all the way to southern Texas and peninsular Florida. They also inhabit the West Indies, and occasionally migrate as far north as South Carolina and Nebraska during warm months.
Heliconius charithonia larvae feed on passion vine leaves; adults gather pollen and drink nectar from a variety of flowers, particularly verbena.