Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885
Codatractus arizonensis
This record describes Codatractus arizonensis (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hind wing somewhat pointed, with large white patch. Forewing with broad white spot bands.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Codatractus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry canyons.
Geographic Range
Mexico to the southern edge of AZ, NM, and western TX.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Tahitian Kidneywood ( Eysenhardtia orthocarpa [Fabaceae])
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Codatractus arizonensis. 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 Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885
What is Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885?
Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885 (Codatractus arizonensis) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885?
Hind wing somewhat pointed, with large white patch. Forewing with broad white spot bands.
Where is Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry canyons. |
| Range | Mexico to the southern edge of AZ, NM, and western TX. |
What does Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885 eat?
The diet of the Arizona Skipper - Hodges#3885 includes Larvae feed on Tahitian Kidneywood ( Eysenhardtia orthocarpa [Fabaceae]).