Identification
Larva green speckled with black, with a yellow-orange stripe, brown head, black face and yellow eye patches
(1).
The adult skipper is easily distinguished from the similar Dorantes Longtail by the green-blue iridescence, above. Below, the FW postmedian dark band of this species is not interrupted by the ground color, as in Dorantes Longtail.
Urbanus proteus
U. dorantesRange
" Argentina north through Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico to peninsular Florida and South Texas. Occasionally strays and colonizes north to Connecticut, southern Illinois, eastern Kansas, southern Arizona, and southern California." (Butterflies and Moths of North America)
Food
Caterpillars feed on members of the Fabaceae (Pea or Bean family).
Life Cycle
Eggs laid under leaves in clusters of about 20. Caterpillars cut flaps of host plant leaves and tie them over themselves with silk like little tents.
Print References
Florida Butterfly Caterpillars
(1)
Butterflies Through Binoculars
(2)Internet References
Butterflies and Moths of North America includes confirmed county records map
