Potrillo Skipper (Cabares potrillo [Lucas])
Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 11/16 inches (2.9 - 4.3 cm).
Identification: Upperside is brown with 2 darker bands across both wings. Forewing cell contains a double U-shaped transparent spot. Hindwing margin has shallow scallops; underside of hindwing with 2 dark bands.
Life history: Eggs are laid on leaves of the host plant. Young caterpillars can be killed by a powdery mildew on the leaves, and they can die if punctured by the sharp hooked spines on the lower surfaces. Consequently, they live in silk shelters and move around very little.
Flight: Three broods throughout the year in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Catstongue (Priva lappulacea) in the vervain family (Verbenaceae).
Adult food: Nectar from flowers of Bidens and Melochia.
Habitat: Subtropical open fields and moist woods, edge of the Rio Grande.
Range: Colombia and Venezuela north through Central America and the West Indies to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas and southern Arizona. Strays north to central Texas.
