Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus [W. H. Edwards])
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 3/16 inches (2.2 - 3 cm).
Identification: Upperside is orange-brown to dark brown; each wing has black streaks on the outer half and an irregular median band of small transparent spots. Fringes are checkered.
Life history: To find receptive females, males patrol close to the ground in low spots. Caterpillars eat leaves; fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: Several broods from March-November in Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Several mallows including globemallows (Sphaeralcea) and violet sida (Sida filipes).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open thorn forests and scrub, washes, gulches, flower gardens.
Range: Southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and west Texas south to northern Mexico. A rare stray to southern Oklahoma and northern Louisiana.
