North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Northern Mexico

Starred Skipper (Arteurotia tractipennis)

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Starred Skipper (Arteurotia tractipennis Butler & Druce)

Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (2.9 - 3.5 cm).

Identification: Upperside is gray-brown; forewing has a black subapical patch with 3 small white dots inside it. Underside is orange-brown; hindwing has irregular white median spots.

Life history: Caterpillars feed on leaves and rest in shelters of rolled or tied leaves.

Flight: September in South Texas; May-June in Mexico and Central America.

Caterpillar hosts: Croton in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical scrub and open weedy areas.

Range: Bolivia north through Central America to northern Mexico. Has strayed to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary for a rare stray.

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.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

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.

Starred Skipper (Arteurotia tractipennis)

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