Hoary Skipper
Carrhenes canescens (R. Felder, 1869)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Wings are nearly translucent, especially near the body. Upperside of wing is gray-brown with a complex pattern; forewing has 8 or 9 small transparent spots. Underside is gray-white with thin dark bands.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 5/16 inches (2.5 - 3.3 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: February-May and October-December in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Hibiscus in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including lemon blossoms.
Habitat: Tropical scrub; lemon groves in South Texas.
Range: Argentina north through mainland tropical America to Mexico. Periodic resident in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Conservation: Monitor and conserve populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley.
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
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 verified sightings
Observation date: Dec 10, 2004
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Texas, United States, Zapata County
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 04, 2019
Observation date: Nov 03, 2010
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 04, 2019
Observation date: May 30, 2016
Submitted by: Javster7
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 13, 2016
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (Elizabeth Cavazos)
Region: Mexico
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Oct 14, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Nov 24, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Hays County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004