Cymaenes tripunctus, Three-spotted Skipper

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Freshly emerged adult

egg

larval head capsule

Description: 12-15 mm. This is a tiny brown butterfly with very little in the way of markings. There are three small spots on the forewing that help identify this butterfly from its look-alikes. Panoquina panoquinoides (slightly more elongate) and Nastra neamathla (darker and less markings) are similar species. Worn specimens may be difficult to differentiate. 

 

Habitat and Distribution: road sides, vacant lots and grassy areas in most of the Keys

 

Host Plant: grasses such as Panicum maximum and Digitaria sanguinalis

 

Natural History: This species is locally abundant throughout the Keys, South Florida, the Caribbean and Central and South America

 

Freshly emerged adult

Freshly emerged adult

Final instar Larva

Final instar Larva

Freshly emerged adult

Freshly emerged adult

Pupa

 

Freshly emerged adult showing off its proboscis

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