North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature




The Registry of Nature Habitats
U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arizona

Hermit Skipper (Grais stigmatica)
JPG -- species photo

Hermit Skipper (Grais stigmatica [Mabille])

Wing span: 1 13/16 - 2 1/8 inches (4.6 - 5.4 cm).

Identification: Undersides of palpi are bright yellow-orange, underside of abdomen is buff yellow. Upper surface of wings is dark brown mottled with darker spots. Females have some tiny transparent spots at the forewing apex.

Life history: Adults rest under large leaves in the forest understory.

Flight: April and July-October in South Texas; March-December in Mexico.

Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.

Adult food: Not reported.

Habitat: Subtropical woods and edges; wooded canals.

Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. A periodic stray to South Texas, rarely north to Oklahoma and Kansas.

Conservation: Not necessary for a periodic 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.



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. 

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:


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

     Tucson, Ariz.: Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc.



Garth, J.S. 1950. Butterflies of Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon 

     Natural History Association, Grand Canyon, Ariz.



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.



Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. 

     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.

Hermit Skipper (Grais stigmatica)
distribution map
map legend

Disclaimer
Return to species list
Return to Butterflies of North America main page