Hesperiidae : Hesperiinae
Oarisma nanus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)
Nanus Skipperling
Oarisma nanus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)
Nanus Skipperling
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 14-19mm. This tiny skipper, also known as the Pygmy Skipper, must surely rank as one of the smallest butterflies in the world. It flies close to the ground and settles on fine grass stems or on the ground and is easily overlooked. Sexes similar but females have darker forewing uppersides - sometimes all dark. The only confusion species is the slightly larger Oarisma bruneri but this is plainer and lacking the distinctive radiating lines.
Range: Endemic to Cuba.
Status: Found in only a handful of sites in grassy glades in pine forests.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Vernonia cinerea, Emilia sonchifolia, Bidens pilosa.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown grasses.
Range: Endemic to Cuba.
Status: Found in only a handful of sites in grassy glades in pine forests.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Vernonia cinerea, Emilia sonchifolia, Bidens pilosa.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown grasses.
Foodplants and Habitat