Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907
Achalarus toxeus
This record describes Achalarus toxeus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewings | Forewings are pointed. Upperside is dark brown with darker rectangular spots. |
| Hindwing | Hindwing usually has white fringe. (ref = cite:1179096, but link bad) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Achalarus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Found from Panama, north through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. Strays can be found up to southern Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are on wing from February to November. There are three generations per year.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larva: feed on young leaves of Texas Ebony ( Pithecellobium flexicaule ); [cite:1179096] young leaves of Ebenopsis ebano ; Blackbrush ( Acacia rigidula ) ( Berry Nall ) Adults: feed on flower nectar.
Life History
Life cycle photos - egg through adult by Berry Nall
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Achalarus toxeus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907
What is Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907?
Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 (Achalarus toxeus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907?
Wingspan is 42–50 mm
How do you identify Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewings | Forewings are pointed. Upperside is dark brown with darker rectangular spots. |
| Hindwing | Hindwing usually has white fringe. (ref = cite:1179096, but link bad) |
Where is Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 found?
Range: Found from Panama, north through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. Strays can be found up to southern Arizona.
What does Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 eat?
The diet of the Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 includes Larva: feed on young leaves of Texas Ebony ( Pithecellobium flexicaule ); [cite:1179096] young leaves of Ebenopsis ebano ; Blackbrush ( Acacia rigidula ) ( Berry Nall ) Adults: feed on flower nectar..
When is Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907 active?
Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907: seasonal activity - Adults are on wing from February to November. There are three generations per year..
What is the life cycle of a Coyote Cloudywing - Hodges#3907?
Life cycle photos - egg through adult by Berry Nall