Species Detail

Clouded Skipper

Lerema accius (J.E. Smith, 1797)

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Attributes of Lerema accius

Family: Skippers (Hesperiidae)

Subfamily: Grass Skippers (Hesperiinae)

Identification: Wings are dark brown. Upperside of male forewing has a dark black stigma; female forewing has transparent white spots. Underside of hindwing has dark and light patches and a violet-blue sheen.

Life history: To seek females, males perch on vegetation a few inches from the ground in the partial shade of forest edges or clearings.

Flight: Throughout the year in Florida and South Texas.

Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Various grasses including St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), wooly beard grass (Erianthus alopecturoides), and Echinochloa povietianum.

Adult food: Various pink, purple, or white flowers including shepherd's needle, selfheal, vervain, buttonbush, and lantana.

Habitat: Forest edges and clearings near rivers and swamps.

Range: Georgia east to Texas; south to Florida; south through Mexico and Central America to Venezuela and Colombia.

Conservation: Not required.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.