North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Northern Mexico

Blue-studded Skipper (Sostrata nordica)

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Blue-studded Skipper (Sostrata nordica [Evans])

Wing span: 15/16 - 1 3/16 inches (2.4 - 3 cm).

Identification: Upperside is dark brown with a complex, variegated pattern and a scattering of iridescent blue scales. Forewing has 4 small spots near the apex.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: October in South Texas; April-October in Mexico and Central America.

Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.

Adult food: Probably flower nectar.

Habitat: Open subtropical scrub.

Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. A rare stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary for a 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.

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.

Blue-studded Skipper (Sostrata nordica)

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