Diet

• Caterpillars feed on grasses (Poaceae).

• The larvae generally feed on grass leaves and construct shelters from folded or tied blades.

• Adults feed on flower nectar and are attracted to pink, purple and white flowers, including lantana, vervain and buttonbush.

Range

• Lerema accius has a broad distribution extending from the southeastern United States through Mexico and Central America to Venezuela and Colombia.

• In Mexico it is widespread in suitable warm habitats, including Guerrero. It occurs in the Zihua area, particularly where grassy vegetation occurs around woodland and forest edges.

Habitat

• The Clouded Skipper favours grassy, partly shaded habitats, especially forest edges, woodland clearings, river and stream margins, and disturbed areas.

• It can also occur in gardens, parks and other human-modified landscapes where grasses and nectar plants are abundant.

• In the Zihua region, grassy clearings and edges within tropical deciduous woodland provide suitable habitat.

Description

• The Clouded Skipper is a medium-sized skipper with a wingspan of approximately 32–45 mm.

• The upper surface is dark chocolate-brown. Males have a conspicuous black stigma on the forewing, while females generally have several translucent whitish spots on the forewing.

• The underside is also dark brown but has contrasting lighter patches and a distinctive violet-blue to lavender sheen, particularly on the hindwings.

• The hindwings are relatively unmarked compared with the forewings, helping distinguish L. accius from some similarly coloured grass skippers.

• Males frequently perch only a few centimetres above the ground or on low vegetation while watching for females.