Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145
Megathymus yuccae
This record describes Megathymus yuccae (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A very large and robust skipper. Variable, dark brown with frosty marking on wing margin. Caterpillar is light tan with reddish brown head A spectacular species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Megathymini
- Genus
- Megathymus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry areas with hostplant (Yucca). In eastern North America this is usually pine flats and coastal dunes.
Geographic Range
mostly se & sc US to n. Mex. - MAP - MPG
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Mar-Jun (but records from Jan-Nov) - MPG
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on yucca.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megathymus yuccae (Boisduval & Le Conte, [1837])
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Megathymus yuccae. 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 Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145
What is Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145?
Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145 (Megathymus yuccae) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145?
Wingspan 4.8-7.9 cm.
How do you identify Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145?
A very large and robust skipper. Variable, dark brown with frosty marking on wing margin. Caterpillar is light tan with reddish brown head
Where is Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry areas with hostplant (Yucca). In eastern North America this is usually pine flats and coastal dunes. |
| Range | mostly se & sc US to n. Mex. - MAP - MPG |
When is Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145 active?
Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145: seasonal activity - mostly: Mar-Jun (but records from Jan-Nov) - MPG.
What is the life cycle of a Yucca Giant-skipper - Hodges#4145?
Larvae feed on yucca.