Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Violet-banded Skipper
Nyctelius nyctelius (Latreille, [1824])


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Upperside is black-brown with transparent white spots and a pair of spots in the forewing cell. Underside of hindwing is pale brown with a violet overlay and 2 dark bands; leading edge has a small dark spot.
Wing Span: 1 1/16 - 1 1/2 inches (2.7 - 3.9 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs singly on leaves of the host plant. Caterpillars eat leaves and make leaf nests for shelter.
Flight: Several broods; from May-December in South Texas, throughout the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Grasses including sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), corn (Zea mays), and rice (Oryza sativa).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical thorn forest.
Range: Argentina north through Central America to Mexico and the West Indies. A periodic stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley, central Texas, southeastern Arizona, and southern California.
Conservation: Not usually required.
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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