Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Tropical Least Skipper
Ancyloxypha arene (W.H. Edwards, 1871)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Wings are orange. Upperside has a narrow black border on both wings. Underside of hindwing is golden orange with a pale ray running from the base through the cell to the outer margin.
Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 1/16 inches (1.9 - 2.7 cm).
Life History: To find receptive females, males patrol with a weak flight over grasses in valley bottoms.
Flight: April-October in South Texas, March-December in Mexico and Central America.
Caterpillar Hosts: Water bentgrass (Polypogon simiverticillata).
Adult Food: Flower nectar from low growing plants.
Habitat: Damp grassy areas near streams, ponds, marshes, and ditches.
Range: Southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and west-central Texas south through tropical America to Costa Rica. Strays to northeastern New Mexico and South Texas.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL