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Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

-Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

-Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)

-Dicot Skippers (Subfamily Eudaminae)

-Tribe Eudamini

-Subtribe Eudamina

-Genus Autochton

-Broad-Banded Skipper (Autochton neis)


Autochton neis, commonly known as the Broad-banded Skipper, is a bold and fast-flying butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is easily recognized by its dark brown to black wings crossed by a broad, pale band—usually white or creamy—that runs across both the forewings and hindwings. When perched, it may hold its wings partially open, making the broad band especially visible and useful for identification. The underside is typically lighter brown with a similar but more subdued band, aiding in camouflage when at rest. This species occurs in Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits tropical forests, woodland edges, and shaded trails. Adults are often seen perching on leaves or visiting flowers, and may also take moisture from damp ground or organic material.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on flower nectar and may also visit other moisture- or mineral-rich sources.

  • Caterpillars: The documented larval host includes Miconia (Melastomataceae).

Range

  • Autochton neis has a remarkably broad range extending from Mexico through Central America and across much of northern South America to Brazil and Paraguay.

  • Around Zihua, Autochton neis would likely be considered occasional to locally uncommon, particularly in suitable dry-forest and forest-edge habitat.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical and subtropical forest, secondary woodland, forest edges and clearings.

  • It appears capable of occupying a fairly broad range of forest environments.

  • Around Zihua, tropical dry forest, arroyo vegetation, forest margins and overgrown clearings would be good places to look.

Size

  • Approximately 35–45 mm wingspan, giving it the robust appearance typical of the larger Autochton skippers.

Broad-Banded Skipper

Autochton neis

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