Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889
Urbanus dorantes
This record describes Urbanus dorantes (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult is similar to Long-tailed Skipper ( Urbanus proteus ) but lacks the greenish-blue iridescence of that species. Mostly brown with long narrow tails on hindwings. On the underside of the forewing, the dark postmedian band is interrupted by the ground color (unlike the continuous PM band of the Long-tailed Skipper). Caterpillars may be green or tan, with a row of yellow spots along each side outlined in a darker color.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Urbanus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern Florida; south Texas; southern Arizona
Seasonal Activity
3-4 broods year round in south Texas and south Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on various members of the pea family, including Desmodium (Beggars ticks), beans. Adults feed on flowers year round (Ironweed, lantana and others)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Urbanus dorantes. 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 Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889
What is Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889?
Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 (Urbanus dorantes) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889?
wingspan: 3.7 - 5.1 cm
How do you identify Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889?
Adult is similar to Long-tailed Skipper ( Urbanus proteus ) but lacks the greenish-blue iridescence of that species. Mostly brown with long narrow tails on hindwings. On the underside of the forewing, the dark postmedian band is interrupted by the ground color (unlike the continuous PM band of the Long-tailed Skipper). Caterpillars may be green or tan, with a row of yellow spots along each side outlined in a darker color.
Where is Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 found?
Range: southern Florida; south Texas; southern Arizona
What does Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 eat?
The diet of the Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 includes Caterpillars feed on various members of the pea family, including Desmodium (Beggars ticks), beans. Adults feed on flowers year round (Ironweed, lantana and others).
When is Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889 active?
Dorantes Longtail - Hodges#3889: seasonal activity - 3-4 broods year round in south Texas and south Florida.