Butterflies and Moths of North America

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Zestos Skipper
Epargyreus zestos (Geyer, 1832)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Eudaminae
Identification: Upperside is brown-black with a transparent gold stripe across the middle of the forewing. Underside of hindwing is reddish brown and usually has no silver mark.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 3/8 inches (4.5 - 6 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females; adults have an erratic flight.
Flight: January-November in south Florida.
Caterpillar Hosts: Galactia in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including Bidens, Lantana, and Bougainvillea.
Habitat: Subtropical coastal scrub.
Range: Southern Florida and the Keys; the West Indies.
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.
Taxonomy Notes: Formerly in the subfamily Pyrginae.

Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 verified sightings
Observation date: Dec 11, 2021
Submitted by: storolaf
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 23, 2022
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Eliott Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Stock Island County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Long Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sugarloaf Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Key Largo County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Paradise Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Marathon Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Key West County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Matecumbe Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Plantation Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Big Pine Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details