Home
Species Detail
Orange Skipperling
Copaeodes aurantiaca (Hewitson, 1868)
Attributes of Copaeodes aurantiacaFamily: Skippers (Hesperiidae) Subfamily: Grass Skippers (Hesperiinae) Identification: Both upper- and lowerside are orange. Upperside of male forewing has a narrow black stigma below the cell; female may have narrow black edging on the forewing. Life history: Adults have a very rapid flight. To warm themselves, adults bask in the early morning, and males perch in gulches during the day to find receptive females. Flight: Many broods from February-November in Texas; March-December in southern California; April-October in the north. Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (1.9 - 2.9 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Various grasses (Poaceae) including Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and green spangletop (Leptochloa dubia). Adult food: Nectar from a variety of flowers Habitat: Grasslands, grassy streamsides, fields, washes. Range: Southern California, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and west Texas south through Central America to Panama. Strays to eastern Texas, central Arkansas, central Kansas, and Colorado. Conservation: Not usually 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. | Documented Records for Copaeodes aurantiaca
|
