Hesperiidae : Eudaminae
Polygonus histrio Röber, 1925
Florida Hammock Skipper
Polygonus histrio Röber, 1925
Florida Hammock Skipper
Previously known as: Polygonus leo but the species name Polygonus histrio was reinstated by NÚÑEZ et al, 2023.
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 52-58mm. A large skipper with dark upperwings and with three large rectangular spots and three small sub-apical spots on the forewings. There is a purplish tinge to the wings and blue-gray hairs on the thorax. Settles on the underside of leaves. The upperside recalls Cuban Rhinthon Rhinthon cubana but this is much darker underneath and Potrillo Skipper Cabares potrillo is similar on the underside but the upper white spots are much smaller. There is also more than a passing resemblance to the similar-sized Florida Purplewing Eunica tatila.
Range: Recently split from Polygonus leo which is more widespread, his species is found in Cuba, Florida and some Bahamian islands.
Status: Widespread throughout Cuba. Found in forest rides and adjacent flowery meadows.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Morinda royoc, Pluchea odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Callicarpa americana, Lantana sp., Bidens pilosa, Wedelia rugosa, Cordia curavassica and others.
Larval Foodplants: Piscidia erythrina, Piscidia piscipula and Lonchocarpus.
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 52-58mm. A large skipper with dark upperwings and with three large rectangular spots and three small sub-apical spots on the forewings. There is a purplish tinge to the wings and blue-gray hairs on the thorax. Settles on the underside of leaves. The upperside recalls Cuban Rhinthon Rhinthon cubana but this is much darker underneath and Potrillo Skipper Cabares potrillo is similar on the underside but the upper white spots are much smaller. There is also more than a passing resemblance to the similar-sized Florida Purplewing Eunica tatila.
Range: Recently split from Polygonus leo which is more widespread, his species is found in Cuba, Florida and some Bahamian islands.
Status: Widespread throughout Cuba. Found in forest rides and adjacent flowery meadows.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Morinda royoc, Pluchea odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Callicarpa americana, Lantana sp., Bidens pilosa, Wedelia rugosa, Cordia curavassica and others.
Larval Foodplants: Piscidia erythrina, Piscidia piscipula and Lonchocarpus.
Egg
Larva
Foodplants and Habitat
