Diet

• Caterpillars feed on woody plants in the families Myrtaceae and Combretaceae.

• The caterpillars construct shelters by folding or fastening leaves with silk and feed from within these shelters.

• Adults visit flowers for nectar and may also take moisture and minerals from damp ground.

Range

• Phocides lilea ranges from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica.

• Guerrero is within its range, and it occurs in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• It occurs in both tropical dry forest and tropical rain forest.

• Forest edges, clearings, secondary vegetation, gardens and areas containing guava or other suitable host plants provide habitat.

• Adults are active during the day and often rest with the wings held partly open.

• In the Zihua area, it is most likely along forest margins and in warm, relatively open tropical vegetation.

Description

• A medium-sized, robust skipper with a wingspan of approximately 50–55 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly dark brown to blackish, with a subtle bluish sheen.

• The forewings have several translucent pale spots, while the hindwings have contrasting pale markings and a distinctive pale fringe.

• The underside is brown with lighter markings and provides reasonable camouflage when the butterfly rests among foliage.

• Males and females are very similar externally and can be difficult to distinguish without close examination.

• The antennae have the characteristic hooked tips of the Eudaminae.