Manuel's Skipper (Polygonus manueli [Bell & W. P. Comstock])
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inches (3.8 - 4.5 cm).
Identification: Wings are dark brown. Upperside of forewing has a blue sheen at the base and reflective white spots. Underside of hindwing has reddish-brown areas.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: August-September in South Texas, January-October in tropics.
Caterpillar hosts: Shrub legume Muellera moniliformis.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tidal scrub.
Range: Argentina north through central America to Mexico and the West Indies. Rare stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for 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