Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Three-spotted Skipper
Cymaenes tripunctus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Wings are dull dark brown. Upperside of forewing has 3 tiny transparent white spots on the leading edge near the tip and 2-3 spots at the end of the cell. Underside of hindwing is yellow-brown with faint pale spots near the center.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (2.9 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs on top of host plant leaves, which caterpillars eat. Caterpillars live in nests of rolled leaves.
Flight: Several broods from March-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Guinea grass (Panicum maximum).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Grassy subtropical areas.
Range: South Florida and the Keys south through the West Indies, central Mexico, and Central America to Paraguay.
Conservation: Not usually required.
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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