Species Lerema accius - Clouded Skipper

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Clouded skipper - Lerema accius - male - female

Mating Skippers - Lerema accius - male - female

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies)

Family Hesperiidae (Skippers)

Subfamily Hesperiinae (Grass Skippers)

Genus Lerema

Species accius (Clouded Skipper)

Size

32-45mm (1)

34-44mm (2)

Identification

Adults: Dark brown wings. Underside of hindwing has variegated patches and violet-blue sheen. Males: upper side of forewing with black stigma. Female: forewing with transparent white spots. (2) and (1)

Range

Southeastern United States to northern South America. Occasional up to coastal New England and inland to Indiana and Missouri. (2)

Habitat

Near forest edges, also in clearings near swamps and rivers. (2) and (1)

Season

All year in warmer regions such as Florida and south Texas. (2) and (1)

Food

Caterpillars: grasses (2) and (1)

Adults: Pink, purple, or white flowers (1)

Life Cycle

Males seeking females perch a few inches from the ground in partial shade. (1)

Print References

Eastern Butterflies (2)

Internet References

Butterflies of North America: Lerema accius (1)

Randy Emmit's photos and description

Works Cited

1.	Butterflies of North America -- Lerema accius

2.	A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) By Paul A. Opler, Vichai Malikul, Roger Tory Peterson

Contributed by Mike Boone on 8 August, 2004 - 9:38pm

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