Turk's-cap White-Skipper
Heliopetes macaira (Reakirt, [1867])
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Upperside is white; forewing outer margin and apex are dark. Dark markings of female are wider and wing bases are gray. Underside hindwing of both sexes has a diffuse pattern and an olive brown band at the outer margin.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs on twigs and buds of the host plant. Caterpillars feed on young leaves, flowers, and fruits. Young caterpillars hide in cracks on the host plant, while older ones live in shelters made of leaves.
Flight: Many broods from April-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Turk\'s-cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical forest edges and openings, thorn-scrub, weedy areas, and brush.
Range: South Texas south through 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.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 58 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 17, 2019
Submitted by: David F Smith
Region: Sonora, Mexico
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 12, 2022
Observation date: Nov 07, 2022
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 08, 2022
Observation date: Mar 24, 2020
Submitted by: dnvarga
Region: Comal County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 11, 2022
Observation date: Nov 04, 2019
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 19, 2022
Observation date: Oct 22, 2021
Submitted by: Harry Forbes
Region: Texas, Matagorda County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 24, 2022
Observation date: Apr 25, 2022
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 22, 2022
Observation date: Nov 06, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Aug 27, 2021
Observation date: Jan 02, 2021
Submitted by: cklindsey
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 21, 2021
Observation date: Mar 27, 2019
Submitted by: Christinalea
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 30, 2019
Observation date: Oct 14, 2015
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 08, 2019
Observation date: Nov 08, 2018
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 15, 2018
Observation date: Nov 05, 2018
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 15, 2018
Observation date: Oct 27, 2017
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 25, 2018
Observation date: Feb 22, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 30, 2018
Observation date: Nov 23, 2017
Submitted by: rhuffman
Region: Texas, San Patricio County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 24, 2017
Observation date: Nov 19, 2017
Submitted by: ftn9549b
Region: Brazoria County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 19, 2017
Observation date: Apr 24, 2017
Submitted by: Raul Delgado
Region: Texas, San Patricio County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 16, 2017
Observation date: Oct 24, 2016
Submitted by: jgiroux
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 13, 2016
Observation date: Nov 03, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 05, 2016
Observation date: Sep 06, 2015
Submitted by: Martin and Sara
Region: Goliad County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 16, 2015
Observation date: Apr 15, 2015
Submitted by: Robalero
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 17, 2015
Observation date: Jun 01, 2013
Submitted by: dspicer
Region: Brazoria County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 17, 2013
Observation date: Oct 07, 2010
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Veracruz-Llave, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 07, 2013
Observation date: Jun 12, 2009
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Jul 24, 2012
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