The Brazilian Skipper is one of the largest skippers that rest with its wings closed. The underside of the wings is reddish brown, with three or four translucent spots in the post-medial area of the hindwing. The forewing is elongated and pointed, marked with three smaller translucent spots in the submarginal region.

The upperside of the wings is dark brown, featuring large translucent spots on both the forewings and hindwings.

 

“Brazilian Skipper” by Shawn Taylor, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Brazilian Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Hesperiinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 – 2 3/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Gardens and residential areas

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Golden Canna (Canna flaccida)

• Powdery Alligator-Flag (Thalia dealbata)

• Alligator-Flag (Thalia geniculata)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Brazilian Skippers feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

• Golden Canna (Canna flaccida)

• Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)

• Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

• Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)