Hesperiidae : Eudaminae
Epargyreus zestos (Geyer, 1832)
Zestos Skipper
Epargyreus zestos (Geyer, 1832)
Zestos Skipper
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 50-62mm. Sexes similar. There are two other skippers that have gold spots on the forewing Gold-spotted Aguna Aguna asander and Emerald Aguna Aguna claxon but these both have a broad white bar on the underside hindwing.
Range: Found in the West Indies south through Mexico to northern South America. Although once common on the Florida Keys it is now thought to be extinct there.
Status: In Cuba it is known only from Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and at Punta Caguanes which lies on the north coast just to south of Cayo Santa Maria. It seems odd that it has not become more widespread on Cuba considering how common Centrosema virginianum is on the island.
Nectar Plants: Bougainvillea, Caesalpinia vesicaria and other flowers.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown in Cuba but on the island of Nevis larvae have been found on the legume vines Galactia longiflora and Centrosema virginianum published in Living World 2001 by Matthew Cock. On the mainland it uses Galactia spiciformis Leguminosae (Scott, 1986).
Range: Found in the West Indies south through Mexico to northern South America. Although once common on the Florida Keys it is now thought to be extinct there.
Status: In Cuba it is known only from Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and at Punta Caguanes which lies on the north coast just to south of Cayo Santa Maria. It seems odd that it has not become more widespread on Cuba considering how common Centrosema virginianum is on the island.
Nectar Plants: Bougainvillea, Caesalpinia vesicaria and other flowers.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown in Cuba but on the island of Nevis larvae have been found on the legume vines Galactia longiflora and Centrosema virginianum published in Living World 2001 by Matthew Cock. On the mainland it uses Galactia spiciformis Leguminosae (Scott, 1986).
Foodplant and Habitat
