Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866
Phocides lilea
This record describes Phocides lilea (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Unmistakeable; very dark with a golden head, metallic blue streaks on the body and iridescence on the wings, a pair of red spots midway on the leading edge of each forewing. Has become more common in the US due to use of Guava species in ornamental landscaping.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Phocides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Subtropical woodlands; in the US, mainly in developed areas
Geographic Range
s. TX to Argentina - Map (MPG, BOA)
Seasonal Activity
all year, but less common during summer (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on leaves of Guava - Psidium spp. (Myrtaceae)
Life History
Photo Essay - Mike Quinn, 2003 Caterpillars use silk to stick leaves together and form shelters; feed mostly at night.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phocides lilea (Reakirt, [1867])
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phocides lilea. 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 Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Steve Nanz , Joshua Stuart Rose , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866
What is Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866?
Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 (Phocides lilea) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866?
Unmistakeable; very dark with a golden head, metallic blue streaks on the body and iridescence on the wings, a pair of red spots midway on the leading edge of each forewing.
Where is Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Subtropical woodlands; in the US, mainly in developed areas |
| Range | s. TX to Argentina - Map (MPG, BOA) |
What does Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 eat?
The diet of the Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 includes Caterpillars feed on leaves of Guava - Psidium spp. (Myrtaceae).
When is Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866 active?
Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866: seasonal activity - all year, but less common during summer (MPG).
What is the life cycle of a Guava Skipper - Hodges#3866?
Photo Essay - Mike Quinn, 2003 Caterpillars use silk to stick leaves together and form shelters; feed mostly at night.