The zebra longwing is one of the most common butterflies bred and displayed in captive exhibits worldwide. Zebra longwing range: Texas to South Carolina, south through West Indies and Latin America, wandering to S. California, Great Basin, Colorado, and Great Plains. This butterfly flies year-round in Florida.

The Zebra longwing's flight is slow and feeble, although it can put on a burst of speed if needed to escape a predator. These butterflies form communal roosts at night. It is thought such conglomerations provide protection via strength of numbers; predators can only take so many.
The Everglades National Park is a good place to see these gatherings.