Osca Skipper (Rhinthon cubana osca [Plötz])
Wing span: 1 3/8 - 1 5/8 inches (3.5 - 4.2 cm).
Identification: Top surface of head and thorax are greenish. Upperside of wings is dark brown; forewing is pointed and has large white spots. Underside of hindwing is brown with several small white submarginal spots and a small white discal spot.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: October in South Texas, May-January in Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical forests.
Range: Ecuador north through Central America to northern Mexico and the West Indies. A periodic stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not required 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. 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:
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.