Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Coyote Cloudywing (Murgaria albociliatus)

Murgaria albociliatus the Coyote Cloudywing or Coyote Skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found from Panama, north through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. Strays can be found up to southern Arizona. The wingspan is 42–50 mm. Adults are on wing from February to November. There are three generations per year. The caterpillars feed on young leaves of Ebenopsis ebano. Adults feed on flower nectar.

Diet

The caterpillars feed on plants in the legume family (Fabaceae).
The caterpillar constructs a shelter by folding leaves together with silk, providing protection while it feeds and rests.

Range

Murgaria albociliatus occurs from Mexico through Central America to northern South America, including Colombia.
It occurs in Guerrero and is found in the Zihua area.

Habitat

The Skinner's Cloudywing inhabits tropical and subtropical woodland, forest edges, clearings and secondary vegetation.
It is particularly associated with relatively open areas supporting climbing legumes and other Fabaceae.
Adults are generally encountered around low vegetation and forest margins, where their subdued brown coloration provides effective camouflage.

Description

This is a small to medium-sized, robust skipper with reddish-brown to dark brown wings.
The upper surface is relatively plain, with subtle darker markings and a few small pale translucent spots on the forewing.
The underside is more strongly patterned, with darker spots and pale markings.
A conspicuous whitish fringe along the outer edge of the hindwing is an important identifying feature and is reflected in the species name, albociliatus, meaning white-fringed.