Species Detail

Desert Checkered-Skipper

Pyrgus philetas W.H. Edwards, 1881

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Attributes of Pyrgus philetas

Family: Skippers (Hesperiidae)

Subfamily: Spread-wing Skippers (Pyrginae)

Identification: Upperside dark brown with whitish markings; male has a few long gray-blue hairs and a costal fold on the forewing. Hindwing has tiny marginal and submarginal spots; median band of female is reduced. Underside of hindwing is pale grayish white.

Life history: To await females, males patrol and occasionally perch throughout the day in gulches and near springs. Caterpillars live and feed in shelters made of webbed leaves.

Flight: Two to three broods; from February-December in Texas, April-October in Arizona.

Wing span: 1 - 1 1/8 inches (2.5 - 2.9 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Mallows including malva loca (Malvastrum) and alkali mallows (Sida).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Open, moist spots in deserts or thorn forests.

Range: Southern Arizona east to South Texas, south to southern Mexico. Strays north to northern Arizona and north Texas.

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.