Given our containment standards, I would rule out with high confidence that David’s specimen originated from Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. In the 90s, zebra longwings could be shipped here from FL for releases, but that is not the case any longer; I know of no reputable Floridian suppliers of live butterflies that would ship zebras here (their actual list of permitted species for transport and release between FL and LA is rather small, something like 9 species or so, I think). I had a co-worker in the Zoo’s butterfly exhibit in the mid-90s who knew of a small colony in Jefferson Parish (Marrero area), which may be the same one Vernon Brou was aware of, but I’m not sure. I seem to recall at least one other such small-and-no-longer-present colony in SE Louisiana from several years back (10 or more), but I don’t remember where. My understanding is that their larvae have a preference for Passiflora lutea. David, you must know this occurs in Jean Lafitte Park, so I am assuming you never saw a zebra in the park…is that correct? Every time I pass the plant, I get hopeful for a caterpillar or adult sighting! - Zack Zack Lemann Animal and Visitor Programs Manager Audubon Butterfly Garden Insectarium (504) 587-2109 zlemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:zlemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> From: louisianaleps-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:louisianaleps-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Muth Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 10:15 AM To: Craig Marks; louisianaleps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; kc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; davepatton122@xxxxxxxxx; jftrahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; rseidler104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [louisianaleps] Re: Zebra thanks From: Craig Marks [mailto:cwmaplc@xxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 10:14 AM To: David Muth; louisianaleps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:louisianaleps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; kc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:kc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; davepatton122@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:davepatton122@xxxxxxxxx>; jftrahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:jftrahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; rseidler104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:rseidler104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [louisianaleps] Zebra David, There are records from the past of colonies appearing then disappearing here in LA, but I would not characterize these records as regular or suggesting a pattern. Vernon Brou found a breeding colony in Jefferson Parish in the mid-90's. Kevin Cunningham found it over a two month period in Terrebonne Parish but felt his sightings were associated with a butterfly exhibit/release. I saw it over two weekends in Lafa. Parish one November, but, like you, I felt it was associated with some sort of release (maybe a wedding?). Gary Ross raised many of this butterfly at his home/garden in BR. He has opined that this b/f cannot survive a hard winter but can survive a mild one here in LA. I know of no other sightings this year. Craig Marks -----Original Message----- From: David Muth <MuthD@xxxxxxx<mailto:MuthD@xxxxxxx>> To: louisianaleps <louisianaleps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:louisianaleps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>; kc <kc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:kc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>>; davepatton122 <davepatton122@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:davepatton122@xxxxxxxxx>>; jftrahan <jftrahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:jftrahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>; rseidler104 <rseidler104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:rseidler104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> Sent: Tue, Oct 28, 2014 9:40 am Subject: [louisianaleps] Zebra I realize that there is a strong possibility the Zebra in my garden Sunday was not a natural occurrence. Are there years when Zebra occurrences in Louisiana or the northern Gulf generally show a pattern suggesting natural vagrancy—i.e., widespread random sightings rather than a sighting or outbreaks in city gardens? Any other Louisiana sightings this fall? David Muth New Orleans