Chisos Banded-Skipper (Autochton cincta Plötz)
Wing span: Not reported.
Identification: Upperside of wings is dark brown; forewing has a narrow white band. Hindwing fringe is pure white.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Probably several from March-September.
Caterpillar hosts: Beggar's ticks (Desmodium) in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Oak-pine woodlands.
Range: Chisos Mountains of west Texas south to El Salvador.
Conservation: Populations in Big Bend National Park should be monitored and conserved.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
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.