Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995
Nastra neamathla
This record describes Nastra neamathla (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dorsal, plain brown with 2 small pale dots on central FW, and several tiny subapical marks. On worn butterflies, these marks may not show. Ventral, brown with a very pale spot band on the HW. FW has an orangish inner costal edge. Compare with Swarthy Skipper . Note the white veining on Swarthy, not found on Neamathla. First recognized as a species in 1923, and not much study has been given to it's life history, since it's not an appealing butterfly, and easily confused with the more common Swarthy Skipper. In recent years, the range boundries are being more accurately mapped.
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
Open grassy areas and grassy pine woods.
Geographic Range
Peninsular Florida, SE Texas. Also south to Costa Rica.
Seasonal Activity
North Florida, February-November, and south Florida and keys, all year with 3 or more broods.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Grasses, mainly Big Bluestem and Little Bluestem.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neamathla was a Seminole chief that resisted the US army's attempt to move his tribe inland, to sandy infertile land.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nastra neamathla. 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 Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995
What is Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995?
Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 (Nastra neamathla) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995?
Average wingspan is 24mm
How do you identify Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995?
Dorsal, plain brown with 2 small pale dots on central FW, and several tiny subapical marks. On worn butterflies, these marks may not show. Ventral, brown with a very pale spot band on the HW. FW has an orangish inner costal edge. Compare with Swarthy Skipper . Note the white veining on Swarthy, not found on Neamathla.
Where is Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open grassy areas and grassy pine woods. |
| Range | Peninsular Florida, SE Texas. Also south to Costa Rica. |
What does Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 eat?
The diet of the Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 includes Grasses, mainly Big Bluestem and Little Bluestem..
When is Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995 active?
Neamathla Skipper - Hodges#3995: seasonal activity - North Florida, February-November, and south Florida and keys, all year with 3 or more broods..