A Zebra Longwing Butterfly, Heliconius charitonius. The Zebra Longwing is common across the country. They have an exceptional lifespan. Several months is not uncommon as compared to a week or two for most butterflies. Zebras have a range from South America, Central America, Mexico, parts of the lower coastal Southeast and Florida. Not much of a strayer or migrator, Zebras have on rare occasion been spotted in the Midwest. The zebra longwing butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves of passion flowers. The passion flower contains a toxin that gives the zebra longwing an unpleasant taste and makes it poisonous to predators. The butterfly drinks the nectar of a wide range of flowers. When it is disturbed, the zebra longwing butterfly makes a creaking sound by wiggling its body. At night, large groups will roost together on tree limbs. They return to the same roost night after night.