North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Manuel's Skipper (Polygonus manueli)

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Manuel's Skipper (Polygonus manueli [Bell & W. P. Comstock])

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inches (3.8 - 4.5 cm).

Identification: Wings are dark brown. Upperside of forewing has a blue sheen at the base and reflective white spots. Underside of hindwing has reddish-brown areas.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: August-September in South Texas, January-October in tropics.

Caterpillar hosts: Shrub legume Muellera moniliformis.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Tidal scrub.

Range: Argentina north through central America to Mexico and the West Indies. Rare stray to South Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary 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.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Manuel's Skipper (Polygonus manueli)

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