Malicious Skipper
Synapte malitiosa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Upperside is dark brown; forewing has a very diffuse dusky yellow band. Underside of hindwing is light brown with minute dark striations.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 3/16 inches (2.5 - 3 cm).
Life History: Adults fly swiftly, most often in the afternoon. 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 silked leaves and fully-grown caterpillars overwinter in their shelters.
Flight: Many broods; from May-November in South Texas, February-November in Central America.
Caterpillar Hosts: The grasses Paspalum in Texas, Panicum maximum in Mexico.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Shaded subtropical forests, flower gardens.
Range: Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, south through Cuba, Jamaica, and Central America to southern Brazil and Paraguay.
Conservation: Not required for a periodic stray.
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
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 verified sightings
Observation date: Nov 13, 2019
Submitted by: IslandEd
Region: Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jan 31, 2023
Observation date: Mar 05, 2009
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 16, 2019
Observation date: Dec 10, 2010
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 16, 2019
Observation date: Dec 13, 2017
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Cuba
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Dec 26, 2017
Observation date: Dec 15, 2013
Submitted by: DJHiker
Region: Sancti Spiritus, Cuba
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 16, 2014
Observation date: Dec 14, 2013
Submitted by: DJHiker
Region: Sancti Spiritus, Cuba
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 05, 2014
Observation date: Oct 18, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
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: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004