Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087
Atrytonopsis cestus
This record describes Atrytonopsis cestus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fringes are checkered. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has large clear spots, hindwing has a short row of 4 spots that are not in line. Underside is lighter brown with upperside spots repeated. All populations and their habitats should be conserved wherever found.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Atrytonopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open woodland and grassy thorn forest.
Geographic Range
Rare and local in south-central Arizona and northern Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Several flights from April-May and August-October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
From early morning to around noon, males perch on south-facing slopes of gullies to wait for females.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of species is (W.H. Edwards, 1884).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Atrytonopsis cestus. 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 Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087
What is Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087?
Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087 (Atrytonopsis cestus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087?
Wing span: 3.5 - 3.9 cm.
How do you identify Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087?
Fringes are checkered. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has large clear spots, hindwing has a short row of 4 spots that are not in line. Underside is lighter brown with upperside spots repeated.
Where is Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open woodland and grassy thorn forest. |
| Range | Rare and local in south-central Arizona and northern Mexico. |
When is Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087 active?
Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087: seasonal activity - Several flights from April-May and August-October..
What is the life cycle of a Cestus Skipper - Hodges#4087?
From early morning to around noon, males perch on south-facing slopes of gullies to wait for females.