Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Mexican Longtail
Polythrix mexicanus H.A. Freeman, 1969


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Hindwings have long tails. Wings are brown; forewing with 2 submarginal spots near the rear of the wing. Underside of forewing has a dark brown spot near the base. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the leading edge of the forewing.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 5/8 inches (3.5 - 4.1 cm).
Life History: Adults perch upside down on the undersides of leaves. Caterpillars live in leaf shelters and feed on leaves.
Flight: Many broods from April-October in Mexico; June-July and October in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Tree legumes Amerimnon and Ichtyomenthia.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Shady subtropical forest.
Range: Peru north to Mexico. Strays north to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for 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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