Hesperiidae : Eudaminae
Telegonus habana (Lucas, 1857)
Frosty Flasher
Telegonus habana (Lucas, 1857)
Frosty Flasher
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 58-70mm. Previously known as Astraptes habana. A distinctive skipper with brown head and anterior part of the thorax and a metallic blue body and base to the upper wings. The bold white trailing edge to the hindwings distinguishes this species from Antillean Flasher Telegonus xagua but beware worn individuals that have lost the white fringe. Sexes are similar but the females have more blue on the forewing especially along the costa. Cuban Flasher Telegonus cassander also has a blue abdomen but the area of blue on the wings is very small and confined to the basal area.
Range: Regionally Endemic. Found on Cuba and Hispaniola.
Status: Widespread throughout Cuba. The subspecies habana is endemic to Cuba.
Nectar Plants: Bougainvillea, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Chromolaena odorata, Abarema maestrense, Citrus aurantium, Coffea arabiga, Lobelia assurgens, Penta coccinea, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Inga vera.
Larval Foodplants: Erythrina sp (Hernández).
Range: Regionally Endemic. Found on Cuba and Hispaniola.
Status: Widespread throughout Cuba. The subspecies habana is endemic to Cuba.
Nectar Plants: Bougainvillea, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Chromolaena odorata, Abarema maestrense, Citrus aurantium, Coffea arabiga, Lobelia assurgens, Penta coccinea, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Inga vera.
Larval Foodplants: Erythrina sp (Hernández).
Egg
Larva
Foodplants and Habitat