Did you know that Florida has a state butterfly? In 1996, Gov. Lawton Chiles designated the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius) as Florida’s official state butterfly. This butterfly is found in ...

It’s always a treat to spot Zebra Longwing butterflies (Heliconius charithonia). These exotic-looking insects are common in Mexico and Central America, and they’re found year-round in parts of Texas ...

On a wooded hillside along the banks of the Allegheny River, Gabrielle Marsden brushed up against an oblong leaf: Asimina triloba—the American pawpaw. The deciduous tree bears North America's largest ...

Many Floridians know that the sabal palmetto, also known as sabal or cabbage palm, is the state tree, and that the orange blossom is our state flower.But did you know we have a state butterfly?In ...

The one great thing about living in Florida is that we can enjoy our gardens longer throughout the year than most gardeners. And with a garden come butterflies, and if I am not mistaken, I was buzzed ...

I frequently see the caterpillar of the monarch butterfly around my garden, but I’ve never noticed any caterpillars that look like this guy. He was happily munching away on my passionflower vine. I’m ...

The zebra longwing is Florida's state butterfly. (Did you know that we had a state butterfly? Harry the Heron didn't.) These butterflies are native to Florida and other tropical areas. They are ...

The zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) is one of our most stunning butterflies. They’re often seen zipping through bottomlands, especially forested swamps, where pawpaw (Asimina triloba), their ...