Esmeralda Longtail
Urbanus esmeraldus (Butler, 1877)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Long tails. Upperside is dark blackish brown; body and wing bases are iridescent blue-green. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the forewing. Dark row on hindwing underside consists of separate spots.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 5/8 inches (3.5 - 4.2 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid on young leaves of the host plant, which caterpillars eat.
Flight: Many flights from April-October in Mexico; August in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Beggar\'s ticks (Desmodium).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open subtropical woods and edges.
Range: Brazil and Paraguay north through the tropics to Mexico. A rare stray north 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
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 05, 2010
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Veracruz-Llave, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 12, 2013
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (Lynn & Gene Monroe)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
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: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004