Zebra longwing butterfly - eclosure chrysalis to butterfly

Zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia

Zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia

I knew these butterflies could be found in my west Austin neighborhood because I had seen one in a deep canyon the first month we moved here.  I didn't think that I would have to wait so long to see another one, after seven years I finally spotted one flitting through the back yard.  I watched "her" like a hawk and sure enough she laid an egg on our passion vine which I was able to raise to adulthood.

Zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charitonia

Zebra longwing butterfly, Heliconius charithonia

Zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia

Zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia often also spelled Heliconius charitonia

I was so excited to see this visitor circling below our back deck, the only Heliconius charithonia to visit in 12 years and I look everyday to see one come by.

And even more excited to see that the visitor was a "she" and she deposited a small cluster of golden eggs (center of photograph).

Only one would survive to adulthood, but was a very health specimen indeed.