Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070
Euphyes arpa
This record describes Euphyes arpa (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of the larger grass skippers, with angular wings. Dorsal, male has a dark orange head and mantle, and a thin black stigma on the FW. Female has a band of creamy spots on the FW, HW mostly brown. Ventral, strikingly unmarked bright orange on both sexes. There's an abundance of Saw Palmetto for a foodsource, but for some reason, this species is declining.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Euphyes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open pine/palmetto areas.
Geographic Range
Florida and gulf coast to Al and Ms.
Seasonal Activity
2-3 broods mostly seen March-May and July-October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Life History
Caterpillars eat fresh Palmetto leaves, roll leaves with silk at the base of host plant for shelter, then cover the entrance, and pupate in the same spot. The late season caterpillars overwinter as larva.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euphyes arpa. 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 Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Ron M.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070
What is Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070?
Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 (Euphyes arpa) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070?
41-49mm wingspan
How do you identify Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070?
One of the larger grass skippers, with angular wings. Dorsal, male has a dark orange head and mantle, and a thin black stigma on the FW. Female has a band of creamy spots on the FW, HW mostly brown. Ventral, strikingly unmarked bright orange on both sexes.
Where is Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open pine/palmetto areas. |
| Range | Florida and gulf coast to Al and Ms. |
What does Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 eat?
The diet of the Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 includes Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)..
When is Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070 active?
Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070: seasonal activity - 2-3 broods mostly seen March-May and July-October..
What is the life cycle of a Palmetto Skipper - Hodges#4070?
Caterpillars eat fresh Palmetto leaves, roll leaves with silk at the base of host plant for shelter, then cover the entrance, and pupate in the same spot. The late season caterpillars overwinter as larva.