Esmeralda Longtail Urbanus esmeraldus (Butler, 1877) | Butterflies and Moths of North America

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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