Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872
Polygonus histrio
This record describes Polygonus histrio (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Butterflies of America - BOA Has a short rapid flight, often landing under a leaf, hanging upside down.
Identification notes
Butterflies of America - BOA
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Polygonus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hardwood hammocks, gardens, and rimrock pinelands.
Geographic Range
Florida and Cuba, some Bahamian islands (BOA)
Seasonal Activity
Multiple broods, flies year round.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Jamaican dogwood and pongam.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polygonus histrio Röber, 1925 - Florida and Cuba, some Bahamian islands - BOA
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Polygonus histrio. 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 Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872
What is Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872?
Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 (Polygonus histrio) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872?
45-50mm wingspan
How do you identify Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872?
Butterflies of America - BOA
Where is Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Hardwood hammocks, gardens, and rimrock pinelands. |
| Range | Florida and Cuba, some Bahamian islands (BOA) |
What does Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 eat?
The diet of the Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 includes Jamaican dogwood and pongam..
When is Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872 active?
Polygonus histrio - Hodges#3872: seasonal activity - Multiple broods, flies year round..