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