North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of New Mexico

Arizona Skipper (Codatractus arizonensis)
JPG -- species photo

Arizona Skipper (Codatractus arizonensis [Skinner])

Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 inches (4.5 - 5.1 cm).

Identification: Fringes are checkered. Upperside is dark brown; hindwing has an olive-brown overlay. Forewing median band consists of 4 large shiny white spots both above and below. Underside of hindwing has gray overscales on the outer third and 2 irregular dark bands.

Life history: Males are highly territorial and perch on shrub branches.

Flight: Several flights in Mexico from April-October.

Caterpillar hosts: Tahitian kidneywood (Eysenhardtia orthocarpa) in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Usually near water in desert mountains, canyons, and washes.

Range: Southern Arizona, west Texas, and Mexico.

Conservation: Not usually required.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

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.

Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., 
     Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color 	plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:

Ferris, C.D. and F.M. Brown. 1980. Butterflies of the Rocky Mountain States. 
     University of Oklahoma Press. Norman.

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.

Add Toliver, M., Holland, R., and S.J. Cary. 1996. Distributional data
     for New Mexico Butterflies. Privately published. Albuquerque, N.M.
Arizona Skipper (Codatractus arizonensis)
distribution map
map legend

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