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| Long-Tailed Skipper |
Latin
Name: Urbanus proteus |
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Genus: Urbanus Species: proteus |
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Comments: |
| The Long-tailed Skipper is one of the most common and distinctive skippers in Florida and resembles a small swallowtail. Adults have a quick, low flight. They are fond of flowers and often abundant in home gardens. The larvae construct individual shelters on the host by folding over small sections of a leaf with silk. Older larvae may use the entire leaf or connect several leaves together. The butterfly is migratory, and moves southward each fall to overwinter in warmer portions of the state. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
pale yellow, laid singly on the underside of host leaves |
Larva: |
yellow-green with a dark dorsal stripe, yellow lateral stripe and crimson head; body is covered with tiny black spots |
Host Plants: |
a wide variety of legumes including beggarweeds, wisteria and Kudzu |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
a wide variety of legumes including beggarweeds, wisteria and Kudzu |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
open, disturbed sites including roadsides, old fields, fallow agricultural land, utility easements, forest edges and gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1.5 - 2 |
Centimeters: |
3.8 - 5.1 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
Dorantes Skipper is very similar in size and appearance but lacks iridescent blue-green dorsal coloration. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- brown with iridescent blue-green scaling on wing bases and body; long hindwing tail; forewing has several semitransparent spots
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Below:
- brown; hindwing has two crisp dark brown bands
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Abundance: |
common to abundant |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
