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Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

-Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

-Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)

-Spread-wing Skippers (Subfamily Pyrginae)

-Checkered-Skippers, White-Skippers, and Allies (Tribe Pyrgini)

-Genus Paches

-Polla Blue-Skipper (Paches polla)


Paches polla, commonly known as the Polla Blue-Skipper, is a distinctive skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is notable for its sexual dimorphism, particularly the striking coloration of the males. Males typically display a iridescent blue sheen across the wings. Females are more subdued, usually brown with faint pale spots or markings, lacking the strong blue coloration. The underside in both sexes is generally brown with subtle patterning, providing camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. This species is found in Mexico and Central America, inhabiting tropical forests, edges, and clearings.

Diet

  • As with other members of Paches, the caterpillars are associated with broad-leaved tropical vegetation and construct shelters from leaves.

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

Range

  • Paches polla occurs from eastern and western Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica.

  • It occurs in Guerrero and is found in the Zihua area.

Habitat

  • It inhabits tropical and subtropical forest, woodland edges, clearings and secondary vegetation.

  • It is particularly associated with sunny openings and forest margins where flowering plants are abundant.

  • In western Mexico it occurs in lowland and foothill habitats and can be encountered along trails and roadsides.

Description

  • A medium-sized skipper in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae, with a wingspan of roughly 35–45 mm.

  • The upper wings are predominantly dark brown to blackish, with contrasting blue or blue-white markings that are especially prominent in fresh individuals.

  • The forewing has several pale translucent spots, while the hindwing has a conspicuous bluish area that gives the species its common name.

  • The underside is browner and more cryptically patterned, allowing adults to blend into shaded foliage.

  • Males and females differ somewhat in the extent and intensity of the blue markings, with females generally showing broader and paler areas.

Polla Blue-Skipper - Female

Paches polla

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