Fantastic Skipper (Vettius fantasos Stoll)
Wing span: 1 1/16 - 1 ¼ inches (2.7 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: Underside of hindwing shining ivory white to silver with veins outlined in red-brown.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: July-December (1 flight).
Caterpillar hosts: Grass (Lasiacis).
Adult food: Flower nectar including Bougainevilla, morning glories, and thevetia.
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests and scrub.
Range: Mexico south to Paraguay. Rare stray to lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not needed for rare stray.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5- Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates. Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates. Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of western USA butterflies including adjacent parts of Canada and Mexico. Denver and Fort Collins, CO.
Author: Paul A. Opler
State and Regional References:
Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo.