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Scarce Streaky-Skipper (Celotes limpia Burns)
Wing span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: Like the Common Streaky-Skipper but larger. Upperside is orange-brown to dark brown; each wing has black streaks on the outer half and an irregular median band of small transparent spots. Fringes are checkered. Underside is paler than that of the Common Streaky-Skipper. Can be identified only by dissection and scrutiny of the male genitalia.
Life history: To find receptive females, males patrol close to the ground in low spots. Caterpillars eat leaves; fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: Several broods from March-September.
Caterpillar hosts: Several mallows including globemallows (Sphaeralcea) and violet sida (Sida filipes).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Desert foothills, canyons, and alluvial fans.
Range: Extreme southwestern Texas south into Mexico.
Conservation: Populations and their habitat in west Texas should be monitored and assessed, and action taken if necessary.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
Management needs: None reported.
References:
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.
Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,
Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
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