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| Yucca Giant-Skipper |
Latin
Name: Megathymus yuccae |
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Genus: Megathymus Species: yuccae |
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Comments: |
| The Yucca Giant-Skipper is a beautifully marked butterfly with elongated wings. Adults have a rapid, powerful flight that produces a noticeable buzz. Males perch on vegetation along trails or clearings and actively defend their territory. The butterfly is particularly active in late afternoon or early evening. The larvae feed on host leaves when young but soon burrow into stem and large taproot, forming a long tunnel. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
single generation |
Egg: |
pinkish brown, laid singly on host |
Larva: |
light tan with reddish brown head |
Host Plants: |
yuccas |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
yuccas |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
dry woodlands, pinelands and scrub |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
2 - 2.8 |
Centimeters: |
5.1 - 7.1 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar, although female is significantly larger with broader wings and an additional row of yellow spots on hindwing |
Compare: |
Cofaqui Giant-Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui) is duller gray-brown below with less prominent scattered small white ventral hindwing spots. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- blackish brown with yellow hindwing border and band of yellow spots on forewing; small white patch near the forewing apex; female has small postmedian band of tiny orange spots on hindwing
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Below:
- chocolate brown with marginal frosting and distinct white patch along upper margin of hindwing
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Abundance: |
occasional; local
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
