Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Hoary Skipper
Carrhenes canescens (R. Felder, 1869)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Wings are nearly translucent, especially near the body. Upperside of wing is gray-brown with a complex pattern; forewing has 8 or 9 small transparent spots. Underside is gray-white with thin dark bands.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 5/16 inches (2.5 - 3.3 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: February-May and October-December in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Hibiscus in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including lemon blossoms.
Habitat: Tropical scrub; lemon groves in South Texas.
Range: Argentina north through mainland tropical America to Mexico. Periodic resident in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Conservation: Monitor and conserve populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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