Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Purplish-black Skipper
Nisoniades rubescens (Möschler, 1877)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Upperside is mottled black; forewing has tiny white subapical spots.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 7/16 inches (2.5 - 3.7 cm).
Life History: Females deposit eggs on the upperside of host plant leaves.
Flight: October-November in South Texas; July-November in Mexico.
Caterpillar Hosts: Wild morning glories (Ipomoea) in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical, usually in lowlands.
Range: Brazil north through tropical America to northern Mexico. Occasionally strays to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for a rare stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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