Pyrgus oileus, Tropical Checkered-Skipper

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Adult Male

Description: 13-15 mm. Wing coloration is unmistakable with black banding on a white background. Females are slightly darker in shade. A similar species is the Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), which is common on the Florida mainland but has not been reported from the Keys thus there should not be a challenge in identifying this butterfly. Both the larva and pupa are very hairy! Both hide themselves in a "tent" made of leaves of the host plant.

 

Habitat and Distribution: This butterfly is common throughout the Keys in various disturbed habitats such as weedy fields and roadsides where its host plant grows abundantly.

 

Host Plant: Sida acuta, Sida rhombifolia and Malvastrum corchorifolium

 

Natural History: This species is widespread and common in Florida and throughout the Keys. They feed frequently on flowers and fly low to the ground

 

Adult Male

Chrysalis

Egg

Final Instar Larva

Final Instar Larva

Chrysalis

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