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Long-tailed Skipper
Urbanus proteus
33.1429, -82.1214
Field Notes
Description:
The Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) is a spread-winged skipper butterfly. It is a showy butterfly, with wings of light brown tinted with iridescent blue, and two long tails extending from the hindwings. The robust body is light blue dorsally. It has a large head, prominent eyes, and a wingspan between 4.5 and 6 centimeters.
Habitat:
Found throughout tropical and subtropical South America, south to Argentina and north into the southern part of the United States of America. This one was photographed feeding on zinnia in Burke County, GA.
Notes:
The caterpillar of this skipper is a common pest of crops, especially beans, in the southern United States. For this reason, it is sometimes called the bean leafroller in that area. The caterpillars are also known to attack ornamental plants in the legume family such as wisteria and butterfly pea. The caterpillars feed on leaves and then roll the leaves around themselves, lining the cavity with silk, to pupate. The adults feed on nectar from flowers.
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