zebra longwing

[James J. Kruse]

>> 
>> Please advise:  Is Heliconius charitonius (zebra longwing) resident in
>> California?  Thanks in advance -
>
> Apparently it is.  The website at ;
> http://www.pro-visions.com/butterflies.htm
> has its range in S. USA to Mexico

I would not consider the anecdote on that website to be considered
evidence of the zebra longwing in California. There is a record of zebra
longwing in Madison, Wisconsin too. Though it is exciting to think that it
could have strayed and might be establishing resident status made
possible by a mild winter, it more likely came from the butterfly house
across town (which did house that species). Something to think about.

Jim Kruse
University of California at Berkeley
Dept. of Environ Sci, Policy and Mgmt.
Div. of Insect Biology
201 Wellman Hall
Berkeley, California, 94720-3112
Voice: (510) 642-7410    Fax: (510) 642-7428
http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/sperlinglab/kruse.html