North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Florida

Variegated Skipper (Gorgythion begga)
JPG -- species photo

Variegated Skipper (Gorgythion begga [Kirby])

Wing span: 15/16 - 1 1/16 inches (2.4 - 2.7 cm).

Identification: Upperside is dark brown with a variegated pattern and a slight iridescent violet sheen; forewing has 2 tiny transparent spots near the apex.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: March and December in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.

Adult food: Not reported.

Habitat: Dry creek beds and small clearings in tropical forests.

Range: Argentina north through Central America to Mexico. A very rare stray north into South 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:


Gerberg, E.J. and Arnett, R.H., Jr.  Florida Butterflies.  Natural Science

     Publications, Inc.  Baltimore, MD.  90 pp.



Kimball, C.P.  1965.  Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas - Vol. 1:

     Lepidoptera of Florida.  Div. of Plant Industry, State of Florida Dept. 

     of Agriculture.  Gainesville, FL.  363 pp. 



Minno, M.C. and Emmel, T.C.  1993.  Butterflies of the Florida Keys.  Scientific

     Publishers.  Gainesville, FL.  168 pp.

     

Opler, P.A. 1998. A field guide to eastern butterflies, revised format.

     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.     



Smith, D.S., Miller, L.D. and Miller, J.Y.  1994.  The Butterflies of the West

     Indies and South Florida.  Oxford Univ. Press.  Oxford, U.K.  264 pp.

Variegated Skipper (Gorgythion begga)
distribution map
map legend

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