Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Zilpa Longtail
Chioides zilpa (Butler, 1872)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Each hindwing has a long tail. Wings are dark gray-brown; forewing has pale spots. Underside of hindwing is mottled and has a trapezoidal white patch.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 5/16 inches (3.9 - 5.9 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: March-April and September-November in South Texas; all year in Mexico and Central America.
Caterpillar Hosts: Not reported; presumably legumes.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical scrub and nearby edges.
Range: Ecuador north through Central America to Mexico. Regularly strays to South Texas and southeast Arizona.
Conservation: Not necessary for rare stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL