Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Mottled Longtail
Typhedanus undulatus (Hewitson, 1867)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Hindwing with a long tail. Wings are dark brown. Underside of hindwing is striated with broken black lines.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 1 7/8 inches (4.2 - 4.8 cm).
Life History: Early stages are not reported. Males perch on hilltops to await receptive females.
Flight: August-October in South Texas, December-May in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Sennas (Cassia species) in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Arid chaparral.
Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. Occasionally strays to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for a rare 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