Three-spotted Skipper (Cymaenes tripunctus [Herrich-Schäffer])
Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (2.9 - 3.5 cm).
Identification: Wings are dull dark brown. Upperside of forewing has 3 tiny transparent white spots on the leading edge near the tip and 2-3 spots at the end of the cell. Underside of hindwing is yellow-brown with faint pale spots near the center.
Life history: Females lay eggs on top of host plant leaves, which caterpillars eat. Caterpillars live in nests of rolled leaves.
Flight: Several broods from March-October.
Caterpillar hosts: Guinea grass (Panicum maximum).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Grassy subtropical areas.
Range: South Florida and the Keys south through the West Indies, central Mexico, and Central America to Paraguay.
