Summary ²

Little Tawny Edge Skipper (Polites baracoa is in the family Hesperiidae and subfamily Hesperiinae (Grass Skippers). This skipper is similar to the Tawny Edge Skipper (Polites themistocles), but is smaller and the narrow orange streak on the leading edge of the forewing in both sexes does not fill the end of the discal cell in the Little Tawny Edge Skipper. In the Tawny Edge Skipper the orange streak fills the end of the discal cell. Both species occur at the GTM, but a considered rare.

Description ²

Upper side is dark brown; forewing with orange bars that do not fill to the end of the discal cell; male forewing with a very short stigma. Underside is brown; forewing markings repeated; hind wing with a faint row of pale spots or lacking these spots.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).

Larva Description ²

Head prominent, dull yellow with two white vertical stripes and a white spot above the eyes. Body yellowish-brown with brownish spots, dark dorsal stripe, and a wide dark (light edged) lateral line.

Larval Host Plants ²

Grasses.

GTM Occurrence ²

The Little Tawny Edged Skipper is considered a rare species at the GTM. This species has been sited only once, in September, 2009, with one specimen observed on the Marsh Pond Overlook (Transect B) and one specimen on the Red Bay Walk (Transect D). There have been 2 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015.

Distribution ²

Peninsular Florida, neighboring areas of south Georgia and southern Alabama, and the West Indies.

Habitat ³

Subtropical and coastal grasslands including sparse pine woods. Opler (1992) indicates "near streams and marshes".

Nature serve conservation status ⁴

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Sources and Credits

1. (c) GTMResearchReserve, all rights reserved, uploaded by GTMResearchReserve
2. (c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
3. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28762599
4. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28762593

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Moth Photographers Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0

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