North American Butterflies and Moths List

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U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

White-barred Skipper (Atrytonopsis pittacus)
JPG -- species photo

White-barred Skipper (Atrytonopsis pittacus [W. H. Edwards])

Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches (3.2 - 3.8 cm).

Identification: Upperside is brown with green-gray overscaling; forewing has large pale spots; hindwing has 4 clear square spots in a straight line. Underside is brown with purple-gray overscaling; markings resemble those on the upperside.

Life history: Adults have a fast flight. Males perch on hilltops all day to wait for receptive females.

Flight: One brood from March-October; a weak second brood in the fall along the United States-Mexico border.

Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Thorny desert grassland and open oak woodland.

Range: Southern Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and northern Mexico.

Conservation: Populations and their habitats should be conserved wherever found.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).

Management needs: None reported.

References:


Bailowitz, R. A., and J. P. Brock. 1991. Butterflies of southeastern Arizona. 

     Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc., Tucson, Arizona. 342 pages.



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. 



Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., 

     Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

White-barred Skipper (Atrytonopsis pittacus)
distribution map
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