Carus Skipper
Polites carus (W.H. Edwards, 1883)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Fringes are pale but not white. Upperside is brownish orange. Forewing has white or yellowish spots which are larger in the female; male forewing has a narrow black stigma. Underside is light brown with paler veins.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Adults have a low, rapid flight. To await females, males perch in the afternoon on flat bare ground near grasses.
Flight: Several broods from March-September (three broods along the Arizona-Mexico border).
Caterpillar Hosts: Probably a variety of grasses (Poaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including milkweed (Asclepias) and Cnidoscolus.
Habitat: Grassy areas in deserts and oak-pinyon woodland, and along washes and small streams.
Range: Uncommon in three separate populations California; southern Arizona east to southwest Texas; Mexico.
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.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 68 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 20, 2025
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 04, 2025
Observation date: Apr 28, 2024
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 05, 2024
Observation date: Apr 15, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: May 05, 2023
Observation date: May 20, 2022
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Baca County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Feb 15, 2023
Observation date: Feb 15, 2019
Submitted by: David F Smith
Region: Sonora, Mexico
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 24, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2022
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 06, 2022
Observation date: Apr 30, 2022
Submitted by: Chrustay
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 06, 2022
Observation date: Apr 15, 2022
Submitted by: Marcia Corl
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 20, 2022
Observation date: Apr 18, 2022
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 20, 2022
Observation date: Sep 06, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 19, 2021
Observation date: Jul 15, 2011
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 23, 2020
Observation date: Apr 20, 2013
Submitted by: joeschelling
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 24, 2013
Observation date: Jul 11, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Michael Smith)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 03, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (John G. Pasko)
Region: Greenlee County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 21, 2009
Submitted by: carlakish
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 31, 2012
Observation date: May 16, 2010
Submitted by: stevecary (B. & A. J. Larranaga)
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 14, 2011
Observation date: Apr 30, 1982
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 02, 1967
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kilian Roever)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 31, 2005
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Apr 16, 1968
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Funk)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Sep 08, 1977
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Aug 07, 2005
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: Gary Jue (Gary Jue)
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: Gary Jue (Gary Jue)
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
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