Diet

• Adults presumably obtain nectar from small flowers and other plant resources in their forest habitats.

Range

• Lycas argentea has a broad Neotropical distribution extending from Mexico through Central America to Colombia, with additional populations farther south in South America.

• In Mexico, it occurs in several regions, including Guerrero. It occurs in the Zihua area, where tropical woodland and forest-edge vegetation provide suitable habitat.

Habitat

• The Fantastic Ruby-eye is associated with tropical and subtropical woodland, forest edges, clearings and secondary vegetation.

• It tends to occur where there is a mixture of shade and open vegetation, rather than in completely exposed grassland.

• Adults are relatively inconspicuous and can spend much of their time among low vegetation and foliage.

Description

• Lycas argentea is a small skipper with a forewing length of approximately 21–23 mm, giving it a wingspan of roughly 42–46 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly brown, with several yellowish translucent spots on the forewing. The male lacks the conspicuous forewing stigma found in several related Lycas species.

• The eye is red in living individuals, a striking feature that helps explain the common name Fantastic Ruby-eye.