Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993
Nastra lherminier
This record describes Nastra lherminier (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Swarthy Skippers are small very plain looking butterflies, without any distinct field marks. Dorsal, Plain dark brown, and occasionally shows a faint pair of FW spots. Male and female look alike. Ventral, Plain brown, fresh individuals show some veining, but that fades away with age. Compare with Neamathla Skipper
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Nastra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly dry open grassy areas, but have been found in marshy grasslands also.
Geographic Range
The eastern/southeastern half of the US. From Florida to Ct., and out to eastern Texas, and Mo.
Seasonal Activity
Northern areas have 2 broods, late spring and late summer. Southern Florida may have 3 broods, starting in March.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparius).
Life History
Eggs are laid on Little Bluestem Grass, the caterpillars feed on the grass, and build a shelter in partially rolled grass. The late season caterpillars overwinter as pupa.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nastra lherminier. 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 Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Cook; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , tom murray
Frequently Asked Questions About Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993
What is Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993?
Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 (Nastra lherminier) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993?
Wingspan 20-24mm
How do you identify Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993?
Swarthy Skippers are small very plain looking butterflies, without any distinct field marks. Dorsal, Plain dark brown, and occasionally shows a faint pair of FW spots. Male and female look alike. Ventral, Plain brown, fresh individuals show some veining, but that fades away with age. Compare with Neamathla Skipper
Where is Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly dry open grassy areas, but have been found in marshy grasslands also. |
| Range | The eastern/southeastern half of the US. From Florida to Ct., and out to eastern Texas, and Mo. |
What does Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 eat?
The diet of the Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 includes Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparius)..
When is Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993 active?
Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993: seasonal activity - Northern areas have 2 broods, late spring and late summer. Southern Florida may have 3 broods, starting in March..
What is the life cycle of a Swarthy Skipper - Hodges#3993?
Eggs are laid on Little Bluestem Grass, the caterpillars feed on the grass, and build a shelter in partially rolled grass. The late season caterpillars overwinter as pupa.