Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Texas Powdered Skipper
Systasea pulverulenta (R. Felder, 1869)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Outer margin of hindwing has 2 deep indentations. Upperside is orange-brown with darker olive-brown areas; forewing has a median band of transparent spots all in a row.
Wing Span: 15/16 - 1 3/8 inches (2.4 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: To seek females, males perch in gulches. Females deposit eggs singly on the host plant. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in folded-leaf nests; fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: February-December in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Openings in thorn forest and scrub, parks, near rivers.
Range: South and west Texas south through Mexico to Guatemala.
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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