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Texas Powdered Skipper
Systasea pulverulenta (R. Felder, 1869)
Attributes of Systasea pulverulentaFamily: Skippers (Hesperiidae) Subfamily: Spread-wing Skippers (Pyrginae) Identification: Outer margin of hindwing has 2 deep indentations. Upperside is orange-brown with darker olive-brown areas; forewing has a median band of transparent spots all in a row. Life history: To seek females, males perch in gulches. Females deposit eggs singly on the host plant. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in folded-leaf nests; fully-grown caterpillars hibernate. Flight: February-December in South Texas. Wing span: 15/16 - 1 3/8 inches (2.4 - 3.5 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Various plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae). Adult food: Flower nectar. Habitat: Openings in thorn forest and scrub, parks, near rivers. Range: South and west Texas south through Mexico to Guatemala. Conservation: Not usually required. NatureServe Global Status: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Systasea pulverulenta |
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