Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079
Choranthus capucinus
This record describes Choranthus capucinus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Second largest US grass skipper, with long pointed wings. Dorsal, dark brown/black with rufous edge at FW base. Male has a black stigma, and the female has 2 pale elyptical spots on the FW. Ventral, solid dark color flecked with light scales, and light colored wing fringes. This and the larger size, help diferentiate them from Palatka Skipper. Introduced species first noticed in the late 1940's. One of just a few grass skippers that doesn't feed on grass. Males have look-out perches for females, and they will dart out at intruders, protecting their territory. They're very fast fliers, especially for their large size.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Choranthus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A wide variety of habitats where there are palms.
Geographic Range
South and central Florida.
Seasonal Activity
Central Florida has 3-4 broods, March-December. South Florida and the Keys all year with continuous broods.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Many species of palms. Caterpillars feed on mature leaves, and fold the fronds to make a nest.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Choranthus capucinus. 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 Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , tom murray , Abigail Parker , talusrutgers
Frequently Asked Questions About Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079
What is Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079?
Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 (Choranthus capucinus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079?
Wingspan: 45-60 mm
How do you identify Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079?
Second largest US grass skipper, with long pointed wings. Dorsal, dark brown/black with rufous edge at FW base. Male has a black stigma, and the female has 2 pale elyptical spots on the FW. Ventral, solid dark color flecked with light scales, and light colored wing fringes. This and the larger size, help diferentiate them from Palatka Skipper.
Where is Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | A wide variety of habitats where there are palms. |
| Range | South and central Florida. |
What does Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 eat?
The diet of the Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 includes Many species of palms. Caterpillars feed on mature leaves, and fold the fronds to make a nest..
When is Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079 active?
Monk Skipper - Hodges#4079: seasonal activity - Central Florida has 3-4 broods, March-December. South Florida and the Keys all year with continuous broods..