top of page

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)

-Dicot Skippers (Subfamily Eudaminae)

-Tribe Eudamini

-Subtribe Eudamina

-Genus Polygonus

-Polygonus arizonensis


Polygonus arizonensis, commonly known as the North American Polygon, is a large and robust skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The wings are typically dark brown, marked with bold white or pale spots on the forewings that form a somewhat angular or irregular pattern. The underside is usually lighter brown with additional subtle markings, providing camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Its size and strong build make it more conspicuous than many smaller skippers. This species is found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, inhabiting open habitats, desert edges, and scrublands. Adults are often observed flying rapidly or perching on vegetation, sometimes visiting flowers or taking moisture from the ground.

Diet

  • Caterpillars feed on legumes (Fabaceae).

  • Specific larval host plants are not well documented in Mexico, although legumes are considered the principal food plants.

  • Adults feed on flower nectar and may visit a variety of flowering plants.

Range

  • Polygonus arizonensis ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica.

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

Habitat

  • It occurs in subtropical woodland, tropical forest margins, riparian vegetation, clearings and other semi-open habitats.

  • Adults are often associated with areas where flowering plants and water are available.

  • In the Zihua area, it would be most likely along forest edges, stream margins and sunny openings in tropical woodland.

Description

  • A relatively large, robust spread-wing skipper with a wingspan of approximately 43–59 mm.

  • The upper surface is dark brown to nearly black, with several prominent square or rectangular white spots on the forewing.

  • The hindwing has a distinctive broad lobe projecting from the rear margin, one of the most characteristic features of the genus.

  • The underside of the hindwing has a noticeable violet or bluish sheen, with a dark spot near the base.

  • Adults often rest beneath leaves, sometimes hanging upside down, and can be surprisingly inconspicuous despite their size.

North America Polygon

Polygonus arizonensis

bottom of page