Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Gold-costa Skipper
Cogia caicus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Upperside is glossy dark brown; forewing has small clear spots. Underside of hindwing is dark brown; hindwing has 2 dark bands and white scales on the outer edge.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 1 3/4 inches (4.2 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: Several broods from March-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various acacias in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Roadsides, trails, forest openings and edges.
Range: Local and scarce from Guatemala north through Mexico to central Arizona and central New Mexico. Range may be expanding in the Southwest.
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