Violet-patched Skipper
Monca crispinus (Plötz, 1882)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Upperside is dark brown. Underside of forewing is reddish with a gray patch at the tip and a white spot on the leading edge. Underside of hindwing has 2 gray bands.
Wing Span: 3/4 - 7/8 inches (1.9 - 2.2 cm).
Life History: Adults fly swiftly, most often at dawn and dusk. Adults rest with their wings closed, but bask with hindwings open wide and forewings open to about 45 degrees. Males perch to find receptive females. Caterpillars live in shelters of webbed leaves.
Flight: Several broods throughout the year in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Paspalum grass.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Shady, grassy areas in thorn scrub.
Range: Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas south through Mexico and Central America to Colombia.
Conservation: Not required for a periodic stray and colonist.
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
Get your BAMONA Gear!
Please donate!
We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America freely available. We want to express our gratitude to all who showed their support by making a contribution this year. You can donate to support this project at any time.
Advertise with us!
Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 verified sightings
Observation date: Nov 12, 2022
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: El Salvador
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 27, 2023
Observation date: Dec 03, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 26, 2023
Observation date: Nov 13, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 26, 2023
Observation date: Nov 03, 2010
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 16, 2019
Observation date: Feb 15, 2013
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 20, 2013
Observation date: Oct 06, 2010
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Veracruz-Llave, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 11, 2013
Observation date: Jun 17, 2012
Submitted by: Roselvy Juárez
Region: Francisco Morazán, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jul 01, 2012
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Oct 14, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 25, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: Oct 18, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Brazoria County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004