Diet

• Heliopetes are associated with mallows and related plants.

• Adults feed on flower nectar.

Range

• Heliopetes lana is a recently described species known from Mexico south through Guatemala.

• It was separated from the South American Heliopetes alana after genomic analysis showed that the populations formerly identified as H. alana in North America represent a distinct species.

Habitat

• It appears to inhabit warm tropical and subtropical environments, particularly open areas, woodland edges, clearings and other places where flowering vegetation is available.

• Because the species was only recently separated from H. alana, details of its habitat preferences and life history remain incompletely understood.

Description

• Heliopetes lana is a small to medium-sized white skipper with a predominantly white appearance and contrasting dark markings along the outer portions of the wings.

• It is extremely similar to H. alana, and the two can be difficult to distinguish from photographs.

• H. lana is typically whiter and less yellowish, especially on the underside of the hindwings. However, this character is variable and is not always sufficient for confident identification.

• More dependable differences occur in the male genitalia, including the shape of the tegumen, harpe and ampulla. Genetic characters also provide a clear separation between the two species.