Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Subtribe Eudamina

-Caballo Skipper (Autochton caballo)

Autochton caballo, commonly known as the Caballo Skipper, is a robust butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The wings are typically dark brown to black, marked with small pale or translucent spots, especially on the forewings. These spots can be subtle but are useful for identification. The underside is generally lighter brown with faint patterning, providing camouflage when the butterfly rests. This species is found in Mexico and parts of Central America, where it inhabits tropical forests, edges, and shaded clearings. Adults are often seen perching on leaves or flying quickly along forest paths, occasionally visiting flowers or feeding on moisture from soil and organic matter.

Diet

Adults: Feed on flower nectar and may also visit other nutrient-rich sources on the ground or vegetation.

Range

Autochton caballo is a continental species ranging from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica.
Around Zihua, Autochton caballo would likely be considered occasional to locally uncommon. Its broad Mexican distribution makes its presence in Guerrero quite plausible, although it is easily confused with closely related Autochton skippers.

Habitat

It occurs in tropical and subtropical woodland, forest edges, clearings and secondary vegetation.
The species appears capable of occupying relatively open habitats as well as forest margins. Its known range encompasses both seasonally dry Mexican habitats and wetter Central American environments.
Around Zihua, dry-forest edges, overgrown clearings, arroyo vegetation and secondary woodland would be the most promising places to look.

Size