Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Plain Longtail
Urbanus simplicius (Stoll, 1790)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Long tails; brown wings. Upperside forewing marks are indistinct or lacking. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the leading edge of the forewing. Inner band of hindwing underside is connected to the brown spot near the costa.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 1 15/16 inches (3.8 - 5 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: October-July in Mexico and Central America; April in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Legume vines including beans (Phaseolus).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Seasonal lowland tropical forests and associated edges and openings.
Range: Argentina north through Central America to Mexico. A rare stray 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.
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