North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Falcate Skipper (Spathilepia clonius)
JPG -- species photo

Falcate Skipper (Spathilepia clonius [Cramer])

Wing span: 1 5/8 - 1 13/16 inches (4.2 - 4.6 cm).

Identification: Tip of forewing is truncated; outer edges of wings are scalloped between the vein endings. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has a diagonal white band.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: May-July and October-November in South Texas; all year in Mexico and Central America.

Caterpillar hosts: Bean (Phaseolus) and Inga in Brazil.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Dense undergrowth at the edge of woods along the Rio Grande.

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

Falcate Skipper (Spathilepia clonius)
distribution map
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