Southern Skipperling (Copaeodes minima ) |
County | State | Date | ||||||
Travis | TX | 09/2007 |
Wing span: 5/8 - 7/8 inches (1.6 - 2.2 cm).
Identification: The smallest North American skipper. Wings are pale orange
both above and below. Upperside of male
forewing has a narrow, short black stigma; female forewing may have
narrow black edging. Underside of the
hindwing has a
white stripe running from the base to the outer margin.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Two broods from March-October in Louisiana; all year in
Florida.
Caterpillar hosts: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).
Adult food: Nectar from flowers such as fine-leaved sneezeweed (Helenium
tenuifolium).
Habitat: Grassy places, open fields, flats.
Range: Arkansas east to North Carolina; south through Florida, the Gulf
states, Texas, and Mexico to Panama.