Diet

• Adults: Feed on nectar from a variety of small flowering plants.

• Caterpillars: Feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae). A confirmed host is Sida rhombifolia, with reared specimens documented from this plant in Costa Rica.

• Like other checkered-skippers, the caterpillar lives within a shelter made from the host plant's leaves, providing protection while it feeds.

Range

• Burnsius burnsi occurs from Mexico south through Central America to Panama. It was described as a distinct species by Nick Grishin in 2022, with the type locality in Veracruz, Mexico.

• It was formerly included within the widespread and variable Burnsius adepta complex, and older records under that name need to be interpreted carefully.

• Around Zihua, Burnsius burnsi would likely be considered occasional to locally uncommon, particularly in open areas where Sida and other Malvaceae are growing.

Habitat

• Found in open and semi-open tropical habitats, including fields, forest edges, clearings, roadsides and secondary vegetation.

• Its association with Sida makes sunny disturbed areas with low-growing Malvaceae particularly promising habitat.

• Around Zihua, look along roadsides, dry-forest margins, vacant lots, grassy clearings and disturbed woodland.

Size

• Approximately 30–32 mm wingspan. A Costa Rican specimen reared from Sida rhombifolia measured 31 mm.