Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Coomon Spurwing (Antigonus erosus)

Antigonus is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae. The upper side of the wings is typically dark brown to black, marked with small pale or translucent spots, while the underside is lighter, often showing brown, tan, and gray tones with subtle banding. Its robust body and rapid, darting flight are characteristic of skippers. This species is found in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, inhabiting forests, edges, and open areas. Adults are often seen flying quickly along forest edges or perching on leaves, sometimes visiting flowers or feeding on moisture from soil and organic matter.

Diet

Adults: Feed on flower nectar and visit a variety of small flowering plants in open, sunny areas.
Caterpillars: Feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
The caterpillars construct leaf shelters, folding or joining portions of a leaf together where they remain concealed while feeding.

Range

Antigonus erosus is widely distributed from Mexico south through Central America and into South America as far as Paraguay.
Around Zihua, Antigonus erosus would likely be considered occasional to locally uncommon, particularly where Guazuma ulmifolia and other Malvaceae occur in dry forest and disturbed woodland.

Habitat

Found in tropical dry forest, woodland, forest edges, clearings, scrub and other relatively open habitats.
It is particularly associated with areas containing its larval host plants.
The species is well suited to the seasonally dry tropical vegetation found around much of coastal western Mexico.

Size