Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Mimosa Skipper
Cogia calchas (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Forewings are elongated. Upperside is dark brown; forewing with 3-4 very small white dots near the apex, and sometimes an indistinct white spot at the center of the leading edge. Underside is dark brown; hindwing has a gray anal fold and pale wavy lines.
Wing Span: 1 3/16 - 1 3/4 inches (3 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: To seek females males perch in grassy open areas. Females deposit eggs singly on the host plant. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in shelters of rolled or tied leaves.
Flight: Three broods from March-November in South Texas; throughout the year in Mexico and Central America.
Caterpillar Hosts: Mimosa pigra, Indigofera, Malicia, and Schrankia; all in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Creeks, canals, oxbow lakes, fields, city flower gardens.
Range: Argentina north through Central America and Mexico to South Texas.
Conservation: Populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley should be monitored and conserved.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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